If a child fell (head), should I undergo a scan / any check-up?

If a child fell (head), should I undergo a scan / any check-up?

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Q: If a child fell (head), should I undergo a scan / any check-up?

Answered by: Dr Goh Chun Hwee, Paediatrics (General), Pantai Hospital Ampang (PHA)

 

 

 


 

Head injury is a common household injury among children of various ages. It’s particularly more common among toddlers who just started to walk. Sometimes children bump or bang their heads, and it can be difficult to tell whether an injury is serious or not. However, any knock to the head is considered as a head injury. Fortunately, most of the children sustain mild brain injury which do not need medical tests and can be monitored at home.

 

Head injury may cause:

  • Concussion (a mild traumatic brain injury that causes temporary effects such as altered level of consciousness, headaches, confusion, dizziness, memory loss of event, and visual disturbance)
  • Contusion (bruise)
  • Skull fracture
  • Bleeding

 

What should you do when you child sustains a head injury?

Step 1

Identify the mechanism of the injury. Seek help immediately if the head injury involves high speed or heights greater than a metre such as car crashes, falling from playground equipment or staircase. Pay attention to the area of the head where trauma occurred. They often develop superficial bruises or hematoma (accumulation of blood clots beneath the superficial skin layer).

 

Step 2

Assess your child’s conscious level by calling their names or gently pat on their shoulder to arouse them. If the trauma is mild, they will usually remain conscious and often cry.

 

Step 3

Observe for danger signs which may include:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Confusion, memory loss or loss of orientation to the time, person and place.
  • Poor coordination or clumsiness post trauma
  • Bleeding or any fluid discharge from the ear or nose
  • Seizures
  • Severe headache

 

Should your child experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, bring them to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately as they may need close monitoring or even a brain imaging. (If you child is an infant less than 6 months’ old, please consult a doctor immediately.)

 

However, if the injury is mild, you may continue to monitor your child at home and constantly look for the danger signs for the next 24-48hours. If in doubt, consult your doctor immediately.

With a background of empowering women through talkshows on all thing Womanhood, it was natural for Lily to start empowering women on one of the biggest role they carry (a mother) after having one of her own. As a millennial mum with 2 young boys herself, she understands what new parents are going through and seeks to empower, inspire and ease parents on their biggest adventure yet- Parenthood!

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