We know that the most small of the house are very prone to falls, scams and accident insurance that sometimes appear due to the pranks of children or due to some oversight of parents or relatives. It is something that we cannot avoid and much less when these little ones already know how to walk and become the earthquake in the house.
You can hit many parts of the body, but it is in the cabeza Where else do we have to be alert, why? Because it is one of the most sensitive that they have and much more when their age is less than one year. It can produce pain and most likely swelling. The trauma cranioencephalic disorders are defined as any physical or functional alteration produced by external traumatic force that causes damage physical on the brain, such as the cerebrum or some of the bones of the skull. Normally, nothing serious happens when they get hit, but you have to be special care in the symptoms they have after receiving the blow.
If any of the symptom following it is necessary that you go to righ now to emergencies:
- Stay very easily asleep or difficulty waking them up. It's a myth that a child shouldn't be allowed to sleep after a head injury. It's not necessary to keep them awake if it's time for a nap or bedtime.
- Waste of awareness
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Disorientation
- Disturbance speech
- Crying prolonged
- Pain head intense
- Bleeding through the nose or ears
- Weakness or numbness of some arm o leg
If there are none of these symptoms, you must be tranquil because it may not have any problem and it was only a blight more, like many others; however, preventive measures can be considered such as protective helmets for babies.
What to look for after a blow to the head
During the first 24-48 hours, an adult should look out to the child: check if there is headache that gets worse, slurred speech o Confusion, dizziness persistent or repeated, irritability marked, repeated vomiting (more than 2-3), dificulty to walk, clear fluid or blood through nose/fluids, drowsiness excessive or difficulty waking him up, uneven pupils, double vision o fuzzy, continued pallor, seizures, problems recognizing people, weakness in arms or legs or persistent buzzing in the ears.
It is normal a bump painful in the scalp, especially in the front; in some cases it can help arnica for bruisesThe blows to the side o posterior deserve special surveillance. External swelling does not always indicate seriousness, and in most cases, there is no brain injury.
First aid and home care
For a mild blow, apply local cold with a cloth or compress for 15-20 minutes to reduce the swelling. Keep a quiet atmosphere, offer liquids frequently and observe their behavior.
You can sleep normally; it is recommended find out Every 2-3 hours he moves, opens his eyes and responds appropriately. A responsible adult should stay with him for the first few hours. 24h (sometimes more, if the blow was significant).
For pain, preferably use paracetamol according to pediatric guidelines. Avoid ibuprofen y aspirin in the first few hours unless medically indicated. Do not engage in activities of high impact and limit screens if you have a headache or dizziness.
If you suspect injury to the cuello or column, do not move the child and ask urgent help.
When to go to the emergency room or call emergency services
Seek immediate attention if there was loss of consciousness, any of the above warning signs, high-energy mechanism (fall from a height, traffic accident, forceful sports impact) or if the child is very smallHas bleeding disorders o neurological problems previous.
If the symptoms persist or change in the next 24-48 hours, contact your pediatrician even if the bump seems minor.
How they evaluate in emergencies
The pediatrician will assess the mechanism of the stroke, symptoms and will explore the neurological status (including Glasgow scale). Tests are not always necessary. The radiography It can show skull fractures, but it does not detect brain injuries; that is why it is in disuse in many cases. The computed tomography (CT) It is painless and allows viewing of the brain and skull when an intracranial injury is suspected. It is often chosen clinical observation in the emergency room or at home, according to medical criteria.
What information to provide to the pediatrician
Help carry data on the area beaten, height of the fall, object involved, if any immediate crying, loss of consciousness o seizures, number of vomiting, changes of behavior o Zóbel's vision, time since the blow and if there are medications or disorders of coagulation.
Calmly, pay attention to the señales and basic care, the vast majority of head injuries in children resolve without complications; if you have any doubts, a pediatric evaluation is your best ally.
