Baby Concussion
Signs of Baby Concussion
When a baby has a closed-head accident, in which there is no actual skin breakage or penetration by any object, and this leads to a change in the normal brain function it is called a baby concussion. Babies tend to get concussion from accidents such as a fall, being severely shaken or even from a powerful blow to the head. While baby concussion symptoms are frightening in that it may involve lass of consciousness or vision or balance problems, in most cases the effects are temporary and the child tends to recover normal brain function fairly soon.
If you have a young child, you should be aware of some of the symptoms associated with concussion. This will enable you to respond soon if you see any indications of baby concussion. Most often a child who has suffered a head injury and is experiencing concussion will lose consciousness. Dizziness or confusion are also related symptoms in cases where there is a concussion. The child may sometimes appear excessively drowsy or can become very irritable. Other than these, there may also be changes in levels of alertness and in memory. More immediate physical evidence may be apparent in vomiting and clear or bloody discharge from the mouth, nose or ears. A child exhibiting any or all of these symptoms is probably dealing with an internal injury that has lead to concussion.
If you suspect baby concussion from any of these symptoms you should immediately call 911 for emergency help. While waiting for the paramedics, it is best if the child is not moved as you have no way of assessing the extent of the baby's injury. If the child seems to stop breathing you can and should try CPR. Also if there is evidence of bleeding, you can take measures to cover the injury and also apply steady pressure to stem the bleeding.
In some cases you may not see any of the above mentioned symptoms of baby concussion and yet you may be worried about a fall that your baby experienced. Babies in their exploratory stage are prone to accidents such as falls and hits and generally they are able to handle most accidents without any long-term impact. As a general rule you have to seek medical help only if you see any signs of impaired or changed brain functioning in the child. Having said this, it does not hurt to be over-cautious and take your child in for an examination if you are concerned about a particularly nasty fall. Sometimes the symptoms start manifesting after a couple of days and so parents and care-givers should pay attention to a child's behavioral patterns for at least a week after a fall to accident to make sure there is no baby concussion. Vomiting, lack of motor coordination, loss of verbal ability, lessened vision and excessive drowsiness during the day are some of the delayed reactions that children exhibit. It is recommended that you try to wake a child up from deep sleep on the first night after a major fall as it is a way of ensuring that you are able to arouse the baby if needed. Babies experiencing a concussion do not always manage to wake up when stimulated to do so.
Many parents worry that a concussion means permanent brain damage and it is important to note that this is not the case. A child has a good chance of completely recovering from a concussion. In rare cases there may be complications and one of the risks is that a child may incur a second concussion while recovering from the first one. This second concussion in an already vulnerable brain can be dangerous to the child's mental health and physical well-being. So, if your child has shown indications of a concussion you should consult with a doctor and follow the medical advice completely. It is critical that you stay watchful to make sure that your baby does not experience any accidents in the time immediately after a concussion. A baby concussion and the resultant reduced alertness and changed motor coordination makes children particularly vulnerable and in need of high-alert care.