Head trauma is a term used to refer to minor injuries to the head. Children often experience because of automobile or car accidents, falls or child abuse.
Types of Injuries
An internal injury is considered more serious than an external one because it can damage the skull, blood vessels or the brain, which can have life-threatening consequences. An external injury occurs in the scalp.
Symptoms
Symptoms of head trauma include facial or head bleeding, headaches, bleeding in the nose or ears, a cessation of breathing, confusion, a loss of balance, weakness in the arms or legs, vomiting and slurred speech.
Care Prior to Hospitalization
Until medical assistance arrives, children with head injuries should be kept still. If a child has a wound and does not appear to have a skull fracture, use a gauze or cloth to put pressure on his wound. Do not wash a wound that is bleeding or take out an object that is sticking in the wound.
Hopitalization
Children need to be hospitalized for head trauma if they lose consciousness, have a concussion, experience speech or vision problems, vomit excessively, have a seizure, have a or experience prolonged confusion, according to the University of Chicago Medical Center. After your child is released from the hospital, check on him every few hours to make sure he is not breathing abnormally or experiencing other health problems.
Prevention
It is possible to prevent head injuries in the home by childproofing a house, having your child wear safety equipment when biking or skating and making sure your child wears a seat belt.
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