Is Every Bump on Your Child’s Head a Brain Injury?
Is every bump on your child’s head a cause for concern? Yes.
Is every one a brain injury? No.
The harder question is, “How do I tell the difference?” The answer is a little harder, too.
Brain injuries are often divided into two categories: low force and high force injuries, depending on the severityof the blow to the head. Each case is unique, and some injuries appear minor when they actually are quite severe.
Low force injuries are usually minor and don’t leave lasting brain injury. High force injures happen from a child’s head being struck by objects of great speed and/or weight. High force brain injuries occur from a high speed vehicle crash, a fall from a high height, severe shaking, or being struck with a powerful object. These incidents almost always lead to some form of brain injury in the child.
Of course, you should have your child seen by a health care provider immediately if she has hit her head. Often, if a child hits her head, she may cry immediately but stop crying after a short period of time. You should still take her to a doctor, especially if the force of impact was great. The fact that she stopped crying does not necessarily mean she was uninjured. You will want a doctor to take a look at her.
Immediate and appropriate care can help a child’s possibility of a more significant recovery. For more in depth information on child brain injuries, click here
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As an increasingly anxious host for my very active six year old “nephew’s nephew” over Easter, I found this really helpful and reassuring–especially the medical link that included a section on “Monitoring After Head Injury”.
Your child injury blog is very useful. Please keep it up!