Does My Child Have a Concussion?

After a fall or a blow to the head, parents may be concerned that their child has a concussion. Correct identification and response to head injuries is essential in adults and in children. Here's what you should know about the risk of a concussion in children and how to respond to a potential concussion.

What is a concussion?
According to Children First, "Concussion is a mild brain injury caused by a blow to the skull." A child's brain does not work properly, and various symptoms will present after the blow to the head. The cause of a concussion can range from a fall down the stairs or out of the car, a car crash, to a sports related contact injury. Not all head trauma will result in a concussion. Healthtouch points out that "Mild concussions are common in childhood and are usually not a serious problem."

How should parents react if their child receives a head injury or they suspect a concussion?
If a child suffers an injury to the head, parental/adult reactions can vary based on the situation and circumstances. If the child is unconscious, the child should not be moved in case of spinal injury. Contact emergency services immediately. If the child is conscious and able to move however, they can be moved or get up. Expect some dizziness or disorientation after a head trauma, as well as crying or a headache. Examine your child closely. If your child is old enough to speak, try to ask them where it hurts, and how they are feeling. It's important to remember that symptoms of a concussion should be watched for over a series of weeks, not just a few minutes or hours.

What are the symptoms of a concussion in children?
KidsHealth differentiates between external scalp injuries and internal brain injuries, of which concussion is one type. For an external scalp injury, the following are symptoms that may be present according to their website:

• loss of consciousness
• won't stop crying
• complains of head or neck pain
• hard to calm
• difficulty walking
• twitching limbs or disturbances in breathing during sleep

The following are the symptoms that the website suggests that parents watch for if an internal brain injury or a concussion is suspected:

• unconsciousness
• abnormal breathing
• obvious serious wound or fracture
• bleeding or clear fluid from the nose, ear, or mouth
• disturbance of speech or vision
• pupils of unequal size
• weakness or paralysis
• dizziness
• neck pain or stiffness
• seizure
• vomiting more than two to three times
• loss of bladder or bowel control.

If any of the above symptoms are detected, parents should contact emergency services immediately.

Kids Health points out the following additional signs of a concussion:

• feeling dazed, dizzy, or lightheaded
• memory loss, such as trouble remembering what happened right before and after the injury
• nausea or vomiting
• headaches
• blurred vision and sensitivity to light
• slurred speech or saying things that don't make sense
• difficulty concentrating, thinking, or making decisions
• difficulty with coordination or balance (such as being unable to catch a ball or other easy tasks)
• feeling anxious or irritable for no apparent reason
• feeling overly tired.

Conclusion
Ultimately, after any head trauma it is essential that parents are vigilant about their child's behavior and any symptoms that they see. When in doubt, contact your doctor or emergency services immediately and let them accurately assess the situation. While mild concussions may be common in childhood, it's important that a concussion in a child is accurately assessed through medical tests and assessments. When in doubt, contact help immediately.

Resources:
-Kids Health; Head Injuries; http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/head_injury.html
-Healthtouch; Concussion in Children; http://www.healthtouch.com
Children First; Concussion; www.childrenfirst.nhs.uk/