Pediatricians state that the most common in childhood. These statistics have their own explanations. In children under 5 years of age, the head is relatively heavy and large in size compared to other parts of the body. Such physiological feature in children affects the coordination of their movements. Just a slight push is enough for the baby to lose his balance and fall head first.
Fortunately, most falls pass without consequences for the baby’s health and only injure the nervous system of relatives.
Nature has in stock a number of protective devices that protect the brain from the consequences of falls: fontanelles of the skull, an excess amount of shock-absorbing cerebrospinal fluid, etc.
The task of parents is to know the symptoms indicating that a head injury is potentially dangerous and requires mandatory medical attention.
Physiological features of the child's brain
A child's head has a slightly different structure than an adult's. The bones of the baby's skull are soft and flexible, which allows them to avoid serious damage when colliding with a hard surface. During an impact, the elastic bones move and return to their original position.
Another one important feature children's brain - its immaturity and high content of cerebrospinal fluid. A child's head can withstand impacts much more easily.
Baby falling from the sofa
Many children under 1 year of age often fall out of bed. At 4 months, the baby is already actively moving while lying down, can roll over, and tries to crawl. Doctors advise to constantly monitor the little researcher at such times.
Children at this age cannot yet assess the danger of their actions and in a split second they roll to the floor. Even a very attentive mother may not keep an eye on the baby when she turns away for the bottle. And, of course, when you fall, the first thing that suffers is your head.
Babies are just learning to use their hands and do not yet have the reflex to put them in front of their heads for protection. According to pediatricians, in most cases there is no reason to worry: the height of sofas is about 50 cm or even less.
A fall from such a height usually does not cause significant damage to the brain. Worse, when falling to the floor, it hits the wooden sides of the sofa or other sharp or hard objects.
Rare, but the most tragic consequences of a child's fall can be a concussion and an open head injury.
Observation after the fall
If a child falls and hits his head, it is necessary to monitor him over the next 24 hours.
The task of parents is to provide peace for the child and not allow too active games on this day.
If in the first hours after the fall the child does not complain of anything and feels well, then the damage internal organs are unlikely, which means there is no reason to panic and there is no indication for an ultrasound.
Alarming symptoms
Doctors identify a number of serious signs, regardless of the child’s age, that parents should pay attention to:
- disturbance of consciousness of any intensity and duration;
- inappropriate behavior;
- speech disorder;
- unusual drowsiness;
- intense headache that persists for more than one hour after the injury;
- convulsions;
- repeated bouts of vomiting;
- dizziness and/or imbalance that persists for more than one hour after injury;
- pupils of different sizes;
- inability to move an arm or leg, weakness in an arm or leg;
- the appearance of dark (dark blue) spots under the eyes or behind the ears;
- bleeding from the nose or ears;
- discharge of colorless or bloody fluid from the nose or ears;
- any disturbances on the part of the sensory organs (even minor ones).
The presence of at least one of the listed signs indicates the need to immediately seek medical help!
1. Calm the child.
2. Place the child on the bed in such a position that the spine and head are at the same level.
3. Examine the child for abrasions, bumps and wounds on the head. Observe his reactions and behavior, check for warning signs, as well as signs of external trauma. A bruised limb or dislocation is usually noticeable; if something hurts more, the baby will definitely let you know.
4. Having noticed a swelling lump in the affected area, it is recommended to immediately apply a cold compress for three minutes to prevent further formation of severe swelling.
Pay attention to the quality of the bud: a tall and hard bud is a good sign.
But if the lump does not appear immediately, but a little later, if it is low, large in area and soft (like jelly), you need to seek urgent medical help.
5. If there is an abrasion, carefully wipe it with hydrogen peroxide. If there is bleeding, monitor its duration - if it continues for 10 minutes, call your doctor immediately.
6. If there is vomiting, the baby should be laid on his side so that the secretions can easily drain and do not interfere with the victim’s ability to breathe normally.
7. Provide peace for the child.
8. If the injury is severe, it is important not to let the child sleep until the ambulance arrives. Following this recommendation will also help you avoid missing other symptoms.
10. If you have at least one alarming symptom, you should urgently seek medical help. During the examination, the doctor will be able to determine the severity of the blow and conclude whether hospitalization is necessary.
The appearance of a child in a family requires constant attention and care from adults for the baby. And although, as a rule, all family members are well aware of this and are completely absorbed in the child, there are nevertheless frequent cases when children of the first year of life, left unattended even for a short time, fall from a height (from a changing table, from a crib, stroller, from the hands of parents, etc.) and receive a head injury (traumatic brain injury).
Typical cases of traumatic brain injury in infants
- The baby lies on the changing table or on the sofa, the mother turns away for a few moments, and the baby falls to the floor.
- The baby is left unattended in a high chair. He pushes off the table with his feet and falls on his back along with the chair.
- The baby is trying to get up in the crib. Something on the floor interested him, and he hangs over the side and falls.
- The baby was left sitting in the stroller, not expecting that he would try to stand up in it and, not finding support, would fall down.
What is traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is mechanical damage to the skull and intracranial structures (brain, blood vessels, nerves, meninges). The manifestation of traumatic brain injury in children differs significantly from the symptoms characteristic of adults, and they are determined by the characteristics of child's body, namely:
- the process of ossification of the baby’s skull is not yet complete, the bones of the skull are plastic, flexible, their connection with each other is loose;
- the brain tissue is immature, saturated with water, differentiation of the structures of the nerve centers and the cerebral circulatory system is not complete.
Thus, on the one hand, brain tissue has greater compensatory capabilities and a so-called safety margin (soft bones of the skull and a larger amount of fluid in the brain than in adults can absorb shock). On the other hand, since it is the immature brain tissue that is exposed to trauma, this can lead to disruption of the development of its structures and provoke further limitations. mental development, emotional disturbances, etc.
Classification of traumatic brain injuries
There are several types of traumatic brain injuries:
- Open head injuries are head injuries in which the integrity of soft tissues and skull bones is damaged. If the dura mater is also damaged, the injury is called penetrating. In other words, the traumatic agent penetrates not only into the cranial cavity, but also reaches the brain. There is a threat of infection, which dramatically complicates the healing process of the injury.
- Closed head injuries are injuries to the head in which the integrity of the soft tissues (or there are only minor abrasions, scratches) and skull bones is not compromised. Most often, when falling from a height, children in the first year of life receive closed TBIs. In turn, closed injuries are divided into:
- concussion (without division into severity);
- mild, moderate and severe brain contusion;
- brain compression.
Concussion (commotio)- mild form of traumatic brain injury. Damage to the brain occurs at the molecular level (molecules are shaken), and its functions are disrupted, but there are no obvious changes in the structure of the brain substance.
Brain contusion (contusio)- brain damage, characterized by the appearance of a focus/foci of destruction of the brain matter of varying severity. The lesions can be single, multiple, different in depth and location. In this case, the patient develops neurological disorders (for example, the inability to make a certain movement with the hand, etc.) and/or psychological changes.
Compression of the brain (commpressio)- severe damage to the brain substance, which, as a rule, occurs against the background of a brain contusion and extremely rarely without it. The causes of compression of the brain are the accumulation of blood inside the skull as a result of a ruptured vessel, or the brain can be compressed by fragments of the skull in a so-called depressed fracture.
External manifestations of head injuries
Since the relative weight of the baby's head is much greater than the weight of the body, when he falls, he first of all hits his head and, more often, the parietal region. Very rarely the frontal and occipital areas of the head are injured. After a child falls, redness appears in the impact area, and the baby feels pain. If, within a few minutes, no pronounced rapidly growing swelling appears in this place, but only slight swelling is noted, then, as a rule, this indicates a contusion of the soft tissues of the head (which is not a TBI). You need to apply something cold to the sore spot (an ice pack, a towel moistened with cold water - do not forget to re-wet it periodically, etc.). A cold compress is applied for at least 5-15 minutes (or at least for as long as the baby allows - often this procedure causes active protest). And most importantly, remain calm and try to calm the child. External signs of a concussion in children of the first year of life are quite scarce. For infants, loss of consciousness due to a concussion is very rare, unlike preschool and school age and adults. They also cannot complain about headache. They just immediately begin to cry loudly, and motor restlessness arises. After screaming they can fall asleep. When they wake up, they become capricious and refuse food. Then vomiting (usually one-time) or frequent regurgitation appears. Children do not sleep well the first night after injury. The more pronounced these disturbances in the child’s behavior are and the longer they last, the more likely it is that the brain will suffer. Another reaction to trauma is also possible: after a child’s sleep external signs injuries disappear and a false impression of recovery is created. This is a dangerous misconception: the baby’s condition can deteriorate sharply. If after the fall there was a long period of time (from one to several minutes) between the fall itself and the baby’s cry from the impact, most likely there was a loss of consciousness. The presence of such a sign often indicates a brain injury. But sometimes in such a situation, parents lose track of time, it is difficult for them to navigate whether a lot of time has passed since the child fell or not, whether there was a loss of consciousness or not. Even if the child simply started screaming from the blow, but before that it was quiet for some time, parents should be wary of this situation and should be attributed to a more severe pathology. This will allow you to seek medical help without wasting time and find out the severity of the injury. A brain contusion is accompanied by a violation of its blood flow of varying degrees of severity (from reduction to complete cessation), swelling of the brain substance, hemorrhages in the brain, and the development of paresis and paralysis is possible. Other signs of pathology are the same as with a concussion, but only more pronounced: repeated vomiting, prolonged anxiety, etc. With severe brain contusions, coma develops. If, as a result of a brain injury, a hemorrhage occurs in its substance, then this leads to compression of the brain, which may damage the vital centers of breathing and cardiac activity, which disrupts their functioning until the complete cessation of the body’s vital functions. As a rule, children with intracranial hemorrhages experience depression of consciousness. The degree of impairment of consciousness may vary depending on the degree of brain damage - from severe drowsiness to a coma. When falling from a height, children may experience fractures of the skull bones (open TBI), which can also compress the brain. Fractures of the skull bones in infants are most often determined by cracks and linear fractures. Based on their location, length, and width, one can judge the severity of the injury. Thus, divergence of the edges of a bone fracture may indicate that there is a rupture of the dura mater, and this is an indication for surgery. Depressed fractures (dents) are more rare. In this case, the bone is concave inside the skull, bone fragments compress the brain. Such fractures also require surgery. A rapidly growing swelling appears in the fracture area, which may be the result of blood accumulation in the soft tissues (hematoma) due to damage from bone fragments. Often, it is the presence of such swelling (bump) on the child’s head that forces parents to see a doctor, while the moment of injury or its consequences go unnoticed.
What to do first if a child falls
We strongly advise parents whose children have suffered a head injury: even if, in your opinion, nothing is bothering the baby, he fell from a small height, stopped crying, etc., immediately seek help from to the next doctors: pediatric neurologist, traumatologist, neurosurgeon. To do this, you need to call an ambulance at home, and you and your child will be taken to a specialized hospital, or contact the specified specialists yourself. If they do not confirm the pathology, you can safely return home. Failure to consult a doctor is dangerous due to late diagnosis of the injury, aggravation of its healing, and the possibility of coma. All this requires treatment in intensive care, and in some cases, surgical intervention. Delayed access to a doctor increases the risk of death, lengthens the recovery period and worsens its outcome, to the point that the child may become disabled.
Where are traumatic brain injuries treated?
By existing rules(standards), all children with traumatic brain injury should be hospitalized. Children with a concussion (minor traumatic brain injury) can be treated in the neurological and neurosurgical departments. Patients with more severe forms of injuries should be treated in a neurosurgical department (if there is one in a particular region). To carry out justified, targeted treatment requires a comprehensive examination of the child, which is only possible in a hospital. This examination includes thorough examinations of the nervous system, vestibular system, organs of vision, hearing and other studies. In the emergency department, the child is examined, signs indicating damage to the skull bones or brain injury are identified, parents are asked about the child’s condition after the fall, etc.
Methods for diagnosing traumatic brain injuries
An important examination for head trauma in infants is neurosonography - a study of the structure of the brain using an ultrasound machine through the child's large fontanelle (such a study is possible until the large fontanelle closes - up to 1-1.5 years). This method is easy to use and does not negative influence on the body, provides enough information to determine treatment tactics for the patient. With its help, you can, first of all, exclude or determine the presence of intracranial hemorrhages (the most life-threatening). The only limitation to its use may be the absence in the hospital of an ultrasound machine or a specialist who knows how to operate it (for example, not all hospitals in the country that have ultrasound machines can conduct emergency neurosonography at night, since the specialist works during the day, etc. ).
If intracranial hemorrhage is suspected (especially if for various reasons it is not possible to do neurosonography), a lumbar puncture is performed - a therapeutic and diagnostic manipulation in which a hollow needle connected to a syringe is punctured in the area of the second - fourth lumbar vertebrae of one of the spaces of the spinal cord (subarachnoid space) and taking a portion of cerebrospinal fluid for examination under a microscope. The presence of intracranial hemorrhage is determined by the presence of blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid. In addition, there are more complex methods for examining the child’s head: computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Computed tomography (CT) (from the Greek tomos - segment, layer + Greek Grapho - write, depict) is a research method in which images of a certain layer (slice) are obtained using X-rays. human body(for example, heads). With CT, the rays hit a special device that transmits information to a computer, which processes the received data on the absorption of X-rays by the human body and displays the image on the monitor screen. In this way, the smallest changes in the absorption of rays are recorded, which in turn allows you to see what is not visible on a regular x-ray. It should be noted that radiation exposure with CT is significantly lower than with conventional X-ray examination.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic method (not associated with x-rays) that allows you to obtain layer-by-layer images of organs in various planes and construct a three-dimensional reconstruction of the area under study. It is based on the ability of some atomic nuclei, when placed in a magnetic field, to absorb energy in the radio frequency range and emit it after the cessation of exposure to the radio frequency pulse. For MRI, various pulse sequences have been developed to image the structures under study to obtain optimal contrast between normal and altered tissues. This is one of the most informative and harmless diagnostic methods. But the widespread use of CT and MRI in early childhood is difficult due to the need to conduct this examination in children in a state of immobility (under anesthesia), since necessary condition Successful implementation of the technique is the immobility of the patient, which cannot be achieved from an infant.
Treatment tactics for traumatic brain injuries
After the examination and clarification of the diagnosis, treatment tactics are determined. Children with mild traumatic brain injury are prescribed drug treatment(therapy aimed at eliminating cerebral edema, lowering intracranial pressure, correcting metabolism in the brain, etc.). Surgical treatment It is used (and necessary) primarily to eliminate compression of the brain. It is prescribed to children with depressed fractures of the skull bones and intracranial hemorrhages. Parents need to realize that only a comprehensive, adequate examination of the child allows him to correctly and timely treat his brain injury, achieve recovery and avoid his disability.
Consequences of traumatic brain injuries
Research on traumatic brain injury shows that even mild trauma can cause undesirable consequences. Under the influence of trauma (the moment of mechanical damage to the brain substance) and its consequences, the functions of various parts of the brain are disrupted, and, consequently, the work of the organs and systems subordinate to them (endocrine, digestive systems etc.). Blood flow may be impaired, including the outflow of venous blood from the cranial cavity. The regulation of vascular tone suffers - they can narrow inadequately, leading to increased blood pressure. All this worsens the course of metabolic processes in the brain, as a result of which brain cells can be replaced by cystic cavities, that is, holes filled with fluid form in their place, and in the place where these cysts are, certain brain functions are lost. For example, the frontal lobes are responsible for intelligence - This means that the presence of cysts in this place reduces it. In addition, it is known that the brain normally has cavities inside and outside filled with cerebral (cerebrospinal) fluid. After injury, it can accumulate excessively in the cranial cavity - and therefore increases intracranial pressure. The fluid under pressure compresses the substance of the brain, causing its slow atrophy (these phenomena are also characteristic of the formation of cysts). The triggering of these pathological mechanisms depends on the severity of the injury: the more severe it is, the more pronounced the disorders, worse the outcomes, and the longer the injury. recovery period. For mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), the prognosis is usually favorable - provided that the recommended regimen and treatment are followed. After recovery, phenomena of asthenia are possible - the child quickly gets tired, becomes inattentive, and irritable. At the same time, the baby is more inhibited, which can lead to repeated injuries. These phenomena may further affect intellectual development child. For TBI medium degree severity, it is often possible to achieve complete restoration of activity, although a number of children develop asthenia, increased intracranial pressure, frequent headaches, and impaired coordination. With severe TBI, the prognosis can be unfavorable - mortality in these cases reaches 15-30%. After recovery, a wide variety of consequences are possible: from varying degrees motor disorders, severe convulsive attacks to severe mental disorders, consciousness, which leads to disability. With open TBI, purulent-inflammatory complications often occur (for example, meningitis - inflammation of the membranes of the brain, etc.), which can also lead to death. There is still no clear answer to the question of how long it takes for the body to fully recover, even after a mild TBI. It was believed that after such an injury, recovery occurs within a few days, a maximum of 2-3 weeks. However, studies have shown that 1-3 months after a concussion, at least half of the children show certain deviations from the norm, which sometimes persist for more long time. The speed of recovery depends primarily on the severity of the injury, age and previous health of the child.
How to Reduce Your Chance of Traumatic Brain Injury
Injuries in children most often occur in the presence of adults, and this once again indicates our inattention or frivolity and carelessness, as well as the fact that we have a poor understanding of the motor skills of the baby. Parents should anticipate the development of new motor skills in the child and take safety measures. So, one month old baby, lying on his stomach, he can push off with his feet from the side of the changing table, from the back of the sofa, bed and fall. Each subsequent skill or movement of the baby (attempts to sit, crawl, stand, etc.) can also lead to “unexpected” injuries. A child, trying to get up, may fall out of the stroller or high chair, especially if they forgot to fasten it. Parents, unaware of the baby’s new capabilities, are overly careless, leaving him unattended. If you need to leave, do not leave the child alone lying on any high (or not very high) surface, put the baby in a crib, playpen or even on the floor. Fasten your child in a high chair and stroller. If there are stairs in the house, install a safety fence so that your child cannot fall down or climb high and then fall. “Walkers” can also be unsafe: children, while in them, can be pushed off strongly, hit something, roll over, and also fall down the stairs. It is better to avoid using such a vehicle. “Jumpers” are dangerous due to the unpredictability of their movements: for example, a child wearing them can collide with a wall. The most important role in reducing childhood injuries is given to prevention, and the main thing in it is the attentive attitude of adults towards children and their safety. Among various injuries to the body, head injuries account for 30-50% of all injuries in children. And every year this figure increases by 2%.
Once a child begins to walk, falls and injuries become commonplace for parents. Often, a child hits his head while playing - this can be a collision with an obstacle while running, hitting the corner of a table, falling on the floor or asphalt. Babies also often get bumps and bruises as soon as their mother turns away for a second. As a rule, such situations frighten parents, and they call a doctor in panic. How to determine how badly a child is injured, what to do first and when to sound the alarm - we will consider below.
Inspection of the injured area and first aid to the child after an impact
If a child falls and hits his head, an initial examination should be performed immediately. A hard landing on the asphalt may be accompanied by external damage - scratches, abrasions on the forehead. In this case, they should be treated with hydrogen peroxide. If skin are not damaged, the injury is assessed in stages:
- The lump indicates a bruise of the soft tissues of the head (we recommend reading:). As a rule, in children it disappears within 1-2 hours.
- A hematoma may form at the site of injury - its appearance indicates damage to the blood vessels. However, a bruise can also occur due to a crack in the skull, which is much more dangerous.
- Severe bleeding and a deep wound are a reason to call ambulance.
After examining the bruise, ice should be applied to the child's forehead. Its pieces should be wrapped in a clean cloth (handkerchief) and pressed onto the affected area for 10-15 seconds. Then take a short break (5-10 seconds) and press again. Instead of ice, you can use a chilled spoon, frozen meat or other cold object. The procedure should be carried out within a quarter of an hour. Usually these actions are enough for the lump to disappear, and the hematoma to become smaller and resolve faster.
After hitting your head, you should briefly apply a cold compress to your forehead. Associated symptoms after hitting your head
If the head hit was not too strong, accompanying symptoms may not exist at all. In case of an unsuccessful fall, the following manifestations are possible:
- Redness of the skin.
- Abrasion or wound.
- A lump is a swelling at the site of impact measuring 3-5 cm. Larger size requires specialist intervention.
- Hematoma is a bluish discoloration of the skin caused by damage to blood vessels. A bruise, unlike a bump, does not appear immediately, but within 1-2 hours after the incident.
- Pain at the site of the injury, aggravated by pressure.
- Sometimes, 2-3 days after hitting the forehead, the child develops blue discoloration under the eye above which he received the bump.
What signs should you sound the alarm about?
In addition to examining the site of the injury, the general condition of the child should be assessed. If a baby hits an open door and cries, this does not mean that the injury is serious. Children are often frightened by an unexpected blow, so you need to try to calm and distract the baby. However, the consequences of a blow can also be a concussion or a crack in the skull.
If the blow was severe, the child should be shown to a doctor, so that he, in turn, can assess the severity of the blow and prescribe the necessary treatment. It is important not to panic, but to pay attention to the following signs:
- Pupils. Their size should be the same; if one is smaller than the other, a concussion occurs.
- Unusual child behavior. If the baby is too lethargic after a fall, begins to yawn, becomes sleepy, or has short-term loss of consciousness, he should definitely be shown to a doctor.
- Another sign of a concussion is nausea and vomiting (more details in the article:). U small child this symptom can manifest itself as regurgitation, it will be caused by eating.
- It is necessary to measure the baby's pulse - it should be within 100 beats per minute, for an infant - 120. Slowing the heartbeat is an alarming signal.
- After your baby hits his forehead, his temperature may rise. This situation also requires contacting a specialist. To rule out a crack in the skull, your doctor may recommend taking an X-ray of the head. The pediatrician will also refer you for consultation to a neurosurgeon and ophthalmologist.
- Some doctors do not advise putting your baby to bed right away, even if it is time for bed. This recommendation is due to the fact that it is easier to observe the child while he is awake in order to notice deviations in his behavior in time. It’s worth trying to distract him from what happened and take a closer look at how the baby behaves.
Treatment of a bump on the forehead
Sometimes a lump on a child’s forehead becomes alarmingly large and does not disappear immediately. It is believed that the frontal bones are one of the strongest, but it is still better to show the child to a specialist in order to avoid consequences.
If the doctor does not find any serious abnormalities in the baby (cracks in the skull or concussion), the large lump can be treated at home. However, it is important to ensure that secondary infection does not occur - suppuration does not form. Let's look at what parents should do and how to cope with the problem on their own.
Ointments and other drugs
In order to speed up tissue regeneration processes, damage on the forehead can be lubricated with ointments and gels that have absorbable and anti-inflammatory properties. Well, if the drug gives an anesthetic effect, then the pain from the bruise it will go faster. Our table contains the most popular and effective means for external use.
| Drug name | Compound | Indications | Recommendations for use |
| Traumeel (gel or ointment) | Homeopathic remedy, contains extracts of yarrow, aconite, mountain arnica, belladonna, etc. | Injuries of various origins (sprains, dislocations, hematomas), inflammatory processes in the joints. | Apply a thin layer to the affected area 1-2 times a day. Use no more than 10 days. |
| Balm Rescuer | Milk lipids, beeswax, tea tree oils, sea buckthorn, lavender, echinacea extract, tocopherol, turpentine. | Abrasions, wounds, diaper rash, hematomas, bruises, sprains, skin infections, inflammatory processes on the mucous membranes. | Apply the balm to cleansed skin. It is advisable to use a bandage with an insulating layer (for example, seal it with a bandage). |
| Gel Troxevasin | The active ingredient is troxerutin. | Swelling and injury, muscle cramps, venous insufficiency. | It is not recommended to apply to mucous membranes. |
| Gel BruiseOFF | Leech extract, pentoxifylline, ethoxydiglycol, etc. | Bruises and bruises on the face or body. | Apply to affected areas up to 5 times a day. Do not use on mucous membranes. |
Folk remedies
Boiled bay leaves are a good aid. There are also folk remedies for eliminating cones and hematomas. We have selected several recipes that can be used to treat a child:
- Bay leaf. You need to take 2-3 bay leaves and boil them for 5 minutes. Then apply the cooled leaves to the bruise for a few minutes. If the leaves are warm, the effect may occur faster.
- Potato starch will help get rid of a huge lump. To prepare the product you need to take 2 tbsp. l. starch and dilute it with water to the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply the resulting ointment to the bump and wash it off after a while. Use until completely absorbed.
- Grate ordinary laundry soap on a fine grater, mix 1 tbsp. l. shavings with egg yolk. Apply the resulting mixture to the bruised area every 2-3 hours. Wash off at the end of the day.
- Apply the inside of a banana peel to the injured area for 5-15 minutes.
- Brush the formation with melted butter. Repeat the procedure every half hour.
- You can apply not ordinary ice to the site of the bruise, but frozen water with the addition of chamomile, string, and sage.
How long does it take for a hematoma to disappear after an impact?
If a child hits his forehead, a lump may appear at the site of the injury, which will resolve within 1-2 hours. However, there are cases when the compaction does not go away for a long time - up to several days or even weeks. Very rarely, complications arise after an injury, and the lump does not go away without the intervention of a surgeon. The doctor may recommend performing a puncture - using a syringe to remove the contents of the tumor. However, first you should try to get rid of the hematoma on your own.
If a child hits his head, this cannot be ignored, hoping that the blow was weak and the injury is not serious. The consequences of a concussion can be dangerous, so you need to know when to see a doctor.
What to do if your child hits his head
Falls in children happen quite often. In some cases, everything gets by with bruises and bumps, but sometimes the child needs health care.
If your child hits their head, you can apply a cold compress to the area of the injury.
Signs that parents should be alert to:
- The child did not start crying immediately after the impact, but after a few seconds. This may indicate that he lost consciousness for some time;
- The child became very pale and began to sweat;
- He begins to vomit or soon it turns out that his appetite has completely disappeared;
- Soon after the blow, the baby began to feel sleepy.
All these symptoms indicate that parents should seek medical help.
Infants deserve special attention. The bones of their skull are still soft, unfused. Their structure is such that the brain is reliably protected during falls, but at the same time, children's bones are more fragile.
If infant hit his head, the usual symptoms of vomiting and loss of consciousness may be absent. The baby still cannot talk about his condition, and he cannot hesitate in dangerous situations. Therefore, if a child under one year old hits his head, it is advisable to always call an ambulance. It is necessary to exclude concussion and fracture of the cranial vault.
Infants They often hit their heads due to parental oversight, rolling off sofas and changing tables. As soon as the baby turns 3-4 months old, you cannot take your eyes off him for a minute.
But Small child can be injured by falling from a height of one’s own height, for example, if one is learning to stand on one’s feet.
Many mothers are familiar with this problem: the infant fell or fell out of the crib, stroller or somewhere else. There is probably no child who has never fallen or hit his head. Small children under one year old fall very often.
The main reasons for such falls are the child’s extreme curiosity and mobility, inability to control his body and great specific gravity heads.
"The child falls, and God puts a pillow"
folk wisdom
Often in a situation where a child falls from a bed or changing table, the mother does not know what to do. Should I run to the doctor, call an ambulance, or help the child myself? The question is how he fell: from what height, what did he hit and in what place.
A child fell out of bed and hit his head: possible injuries
The fall of a child has its own peculiarity: in early age The greatest risk of injury is to the head. In small children it is the hardest. And the most common affected area is the parietal part.
If a child is injured when he falls, the following facts must be taken into account:
- fontanelles and a large number of fluids around the brain absorb shock, reduce the risk of concussion and skull fracture, thus protecting the baby from serious injury. Therefore, for the child’s health, falls from a small height (30-40 cm) in most cases pass without consequences.
- The child's brain is actively developing. Hitting your child's head when he falls can have a negative impact on his development and health. The consequences can be mental illness, low level of intelligence, headaches, loss of vision or hearing, etc.
All traumatic brain injuries are divided into:
- open (damaged bones and soft fabrics)
- closed (when the integrity of the skull bones and soft tissues is not compromised)
Closed brain injuries are divided into:
- brain concussion
- brain contusion
- compression of the brain
With a concussion, there are no changes in the structure of the brain matter, with a bruise, foci of destruction of the brain matter appear, and compression appears against the background of the bruise due to rupture of blood vessels or fragments of the skull.
If a child falls and hits his head (the back of the head or forehead), there may be a soft tissue bruise - the mildest injury when the brain does not suffer in any way. Then a lump or abrasion occurs at the site of the impact.
What matters is not exactly where he hit when he fell (forehead or back of the head), but the severity of the brain damage.
Symptoms indicating a brain injury
How to assess the severity of an injury if a child falls and hits his head?
A concussion is manifested by a short-term loss of consciousness. In children less than a year old This can be difficult to notice. This condition can be assumed if some time has passed from the moment of the fall to the appearance of crying (1-3 minutes). The child may vomit. Up to 3 months, vomiting may occur repeatedly. There is paleness of the skin, sweating, as well as drowsiness and refusal to eat. Children under one year old do not sleep well the first night after injury.
With a brain injury, the loss of consciousness may be longer (more than an hour), and signs of respiratory and cardiac dysfunction may appear.
If a child falls out of bed and falls such that a skull fracture occurs, his condition may be serious. There may be leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (a light liquid) or blood from the nose or ear. Bruises appear around the eyes (a symptom of glasses). However, symptoms may appear several hours after the injury.
If a child falls from a bed (sofa, changing table or other surface), it is necessary to closely monitor his condition. In the case when everything ends with 10-15 minutes of crying, and the child’s condition has not changed, you don’t need to see a doctor.
If the mother has any doubts that the injury is not dangerous, it is better to call a doctor, since it is more reliable to make sure of the child’s health than to treat serious consequences later.
Children under 1.5 years old can have neurosonography. This procedure is painless, inexpensive and performed using an ultrasound machine. It is used to determine increased intracranial pressure and the presence of life-threatening hemorrhages. At a later age, such a study will not be possible if a large fontanel is overgrown.
A child fell and hit his head: options and first aid
Often in a situation where a child falls from a bed or changing table, the mother does not know what to do.
If, after crying after the blow, the child calms down and behaves as usual, then the experience gained will only benefit him. In this case, after comforting the baby, it is enough to apply a cold compress to the site of the bruise for 10-15 minutes. A cloth soaked in cold water, ice wrapped in a towel, or any other cold object is suitable for this.
Treat the wound or abrasion with hydrogen peroxide to prevent infection. If there is further bleeding (if it is not stopped), call an ambulance.
The main signs when you need to see a doctor if your child hits his head:
- deterioration in health, the baby “falls asleep on the go”
- muscle twitching, limb spasms
- wide pupils that do not constrict in bright light or pupils that vary in size
- sudden pallor of the skin
- paresis or muscle paralysis
- in older children - dizziness
- blood in urine, stool, or even vomit
- nosebleed
The first thing you need to do if you have the above signs of a concussion is to get to a doctor or call an ambulance by any means.
If a child falls asleep soon after a fall, you should not rely on the restorative properties of sleep. It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible to rule out cerebral edema. The child will have intracranial pressure reduced and brain metabolism adjusted with the help of medication.
In difficult cases (cracks in the bones of the brain, pressing of fragments inside, ruptures of the hard membranes of the brain, fractures), surgery may be necessary in the department of pediatric neurosurgery.
Prevention of head injuries in children due to falls
The situation when a child falls from a bed or changing table occurs most often with children under one year old. Therefore, there is no need to leave the baby alone, especially if he has already learned to roll over. It is better to leave the child on the floor (not naked, of course).
A changing table is a very dangerous thing, as it has a small area. Therefore, the presence of adults alone is not enough; you need to hold the child with your hand. It is better to swaddle your baby on a bed or sofa.
You can lay down something soft or put pillows on the floor, in case the child will fall from the bed.
Children also “love” to fall out of strollers. Therefore, it is better to purchase lower models and strollers with high sides, and do not neglect to fasten the child.
When a child begins to walk, falls occur frequently. This may be due to slippery floors (parquet). Your child can wear socks with rubberized inserts (they will prevent slipping). Rugs and rugs should not “ride” on the floor; they can also cause a fall.
I would also like to note the psychological side of the issue. There is no need to constantly feel afraid that the child will fall and hit his head - after all, exactly what a person is very afraid of happens. In addition, you can pass this fear on to the child himself.
To prevent the child from falling and hitting his head when going to the kitchen or somewhere else, spread a blanket on the floor, put the child on it, the baby will get a lot of pleasure from the new perspective, and you can temporarily go about your business without consequences for the child’s health.
Video: about small children falling and hitting their heads
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