The energy of children contributes not only to understanding the world, but also to receiving various types of injuries. In babies with uncoordinated movements, the head mostly suffers. When preparing for the arrival of a new family member, it is worth assessing the home environment in terms of the presence of traumatic items (for example, furniture with sharp corners) and try to remove them.

But this will not completely protect the young researcher, because he can fall even on a flat floor while learning to walk. If a child hits his head, you should quickly, without panicking, assess the severity of the injury. It depends on the strength and location of the impact whether it will be just a bump or whether it is worth rushing to the hospital.

Indeed, often a blow to the forehead is accompanied only by a bruise of soft tissues - a bump appears on the child’s head. It forms in the same way as any bruise, but it will be convex due to a large number of small vessels that burst and fill nearby tissues with blood.

Serious injuries from such a blow are unlikely, since the strong frontal bone reliably protects the head. But you should play it safe and call a pediatrician if your newborn hits his forehead. The younger the victim, the more serious consequences a hematoma on the forehead can have.

However, a strong blow can cause a traumatic brain injury. The open injury is obvious: there is a wound on the head and obvious bone damage. It is treated surgically in combination with medication.

With a closed injury, the skin and bones are externally intact, but there are internal injuries, the signs of which should be known.

Closed head injuries vary in severity:

1. With a brain injury, loss of consciousness usually occurs and breathing is impaired. You may experience ear or nosebleeds, dark circles around the eyes, problems with speech, disturbances in facial expressions due to damage to the facial nerve. To treat a mild bruise, a course of medications is prescribed, but only a surgeon can eliminate the consequences of a severe bruise.
2. Concussions from impact are diagnosed frequently by doctors and can usually be treated with medication without further complications. If a concussion occurs, a child may be unconscious for several minutes and then experience nausea, vomiting, and headache. If the doctor has prescribed medications and prescribed home bed rest, but the patient has persistent restless sleep or other alarming signs, it would be useful to call a pediatrician at home.
3. A skull fracture can be suspected by bloody discharge from the ears and nostrils. You should immediately go to the hospital to have an x-ray done. Treatment in this case involves surgery followed by medication.

A blow to the back of the head is no less dangerous

A blow to the back of the head can cause visual impairment. The occipital lobe of the brain is responsible for the functioning of the visual organs. Moreover, the consequences may not appear immediately, but after some time. Therefore, even if there are no complaints from the victim, it would be wiser to quickly show him to a specialist who knows what to do if the child hits the back of his head.

A rare, but extremely unpleasant complication occurs if the child hits the back of the head on the left side. Sometimes victims develop disturbances in the perception of the surrounding space on the left, they begin to forget everything, sleep poorly, and suffer from headaches. Similar phenomena can be observed when the back of the head is damaged on the right.

A strong blow to the back of the head can cause traumatic brain injury in the same way as a blow to the forehead.

What should a mother do if her baby falls?

1. Feel sorry for and calm the baby after a fall, and then examine him from all sides, starting from the head, for scratches, bruises, bleeding wounds on the forehead and the back of the head.
2. Calm down yourself and evaluate whether the fall was really serious. If the baby slipped from the sofa onto the carpet and bumped, then he cries more from fear and gets off with a bruise. But if he fell out of the high stroller and hit his head on the asphalt, his mother should worry.
3. The grown-up child is able to talk about what happened. You should ask him whether his head hurts or not, whether there is blurred vision. The pupils should not be constricted or dilated.
4. Measure the pulse and compare the data with the age norm (in newborns it reaches 130-140 beats per minute, then becomes less frequent as they grow older). Deviations from the norm should alert you.
5. Eliminate noisy entertainment and visual stress, but do not allow sleep. While sleeping, it will be more difficult to diagnose a concussion, if any.
6. It must be borne in mind that if, after hitting a child, he does not cry for several minutes, then, most likely, he lost consciousness.
7. Treat damaged skin. Small abrasions are disinfected with hydrogen peroxide, after which wound healing ointments are used. And if a child has a bump, then apply cooling compresses to it for 3 minutes to prevent swelling. In case of severe bleeding that could not be stopped within a quarter of an hour, as well as if the symptoms described above appear, you should call a doctor.
8. Schedule a visit to the clinic soon. It is necessary to show a child who has hit his head to a pediatrician to assess his general condition, an ophthalmologist to rule out visual disturbances after a blow, and a neurosurgeon to receive a referral for a brain examination.

Warning signs that you shouldn't stay home

If a child falls and hits their head, the most frightening consequence is brain damage. Moreover, its signs may not appear instantly, but after a few hours.

Call to ambulance should be treated immediately if the following symptoms appear:

• loss of consciousness;
• deviation of heart rate from the age norm;
• bleeding from the ears or nose;
• vomiting, diarrhea with traces of blood;
• blue or pale skin;
• darkened skin under the eyes and behind the ears;
• deterioration in coordination of movements, twitching, numbness of the limbs;
• change in pupil size, squint;
• lethargy, drowsiness, changes in sleep patterns and patterns, tearfulness;
• lack of appetite;
• the child's lump is too swollen or a depression appears instead of a lump.

While waiting for the doctor to arrive, you should put the baby to bed, while distracting him and not allowing him to fall asleep. When vomiting, it is better to turn it on its side so that liquid does not enter the respiratory tract. Painkillers taken before the doctor arrives may interfere with assessing the baby’s condition.

If a child falls on his back and hits himself, there is a possibility of a spinal injury; he must be handled very carefully to avoid additional displacement of the vertebrae.

What to expect when admitted to hospital

The doctor will examine the victim, ask him or his parents to tell him about the blow, clarify whether he hit the back of the head or the forehead, assess the damage and advise on further actions.

The baby will probably be sent for a CT scan of the brain to rule out hemorrhages and fractures.
Patients up to one and a half years old are examined through a fontanelle that is not yet closed.

How to protect your child's head from blows

You should always be on guard with a baby. This even applies to a newborn, who, it would seem, cannot even turn on his side. After all, it is the absence of a mother that can prompt a baby to learn to roll over right on the changing table.

Such tables are convenient for parents, but from a safety point of view, a large soft surface (a bed or a blanket spread on the floor) is preferable for changing clothes. Let the baby always be under supervision or in a safe area - in the playpen.

It is unwise to neglect seat belts in a stroller. Although the baby is not yet able to get out of it, nothing can guarantee that the stroller will not tip over if it hits a bump. The straps will keep the little passenger from falling onto the road. It is not for nothing that there are belts on high chairs, because a fall from such a height onto the floor or tiles can result in injury.

When the baby begins to explore the space at home and often bumps, you need to look at the surrounding objects from the height of his height and protect every sharp corner with silicone pads. For children learning to walk, there are special socks and tights with non-slip soles.

Kids often trip and hit themselves when going down the stairs, so you need to not let go of the child's hand. While climbing the steps, you also need to hold the baby’s hand or secure him from behind, as there is a danger of falling on his back.

Many injuries happen on the playground. It is dangerous to play next to older children; it is better to distract and take your baby away. If it is not possible to leave, then the mother should be near the child. You need to be especially vigilant near swings, carousels and other moving structures.

Children who have shown a desire to master roller skates or a balance bike must immediately be taught that they must wear a helmet. The young athlete should also be taught how to fall correctly.

Parents should know what to do if their child does hit their head. And you need to patiently explain to your children how important it is not to hit themselves. Infants simply need to be protected, and older children need to be taught household safety rules.

A child has hit his head - when should you see a doctor, and in what cases can you get by with applying a towel with ice? We will talk about this and the alarming symptoms in children after falls below.

Why do babies hit their heads most often?

Mechanical injuries to the skull are one of the most common reasons for frightened parents to visit traumatology departments. This is not at all due to children’s “pin-butt”, but due to the special children’s anatomy.

The fact is that in children under the age of five, the head weighs about a quarter of the weight of the entire body. Accordingly, when falling, it hits first. Since there is no instinct of self-preservation yet and coordination is poorly developed, the baby does not put his hands in front of him in flight, hence the increased likelihood of a concussion and other troubles.

“Fontanelles” that do not overgrow until they are one year old save babies from severe head injuries when falling, and a large number of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull, which can soften the fall.

Fortunately, most falls result only in fear and bruises for children and frayed nerves for parents. And yet, everyone should know the warning signs when it is necessary to provide first aid to the baby.

How to recognize the risk of impact?

When babies begin to crawl and then walk, they very often stumble, hit, fall (and often from a height greater than their height), resulting in bumps, abrasions, hematomas and bruises on the head. How can one accurately recognize how dangerous this particular blow or bump is to a fidget’s health? Should I show my child to a pediatrician, neurologist, or go straight to the emergency department of traumatology?

Frontal head injury

If, after falling or hitting an obstacle, a huge bump on the baby's forehead swells, this is quite normal. Severe swelling is due to big amount blood vessels bursting due to mechanical trauma in the soft tissues of the skull. Hematomas on the forehead are most often round in shape, they quickly subside and stop bothering the fidget and his parents, in most cases they do not have serious consequences.

However, all this is true for older children; falling and hitting the baby’s head should not be ignored - take the baby to the pediatrician, even if you think that there is no danger. An experienced doctor will examine the baby and reassure the parents.

Trauma to the back of the head

A blow to the back of the head is a serious reason to go to the emergency room of the pediatric traumatology department or to a pediatrician: often such injuries have quite serious consequences. And the younger the baby, the sooner you need to see a doctor; delay can cost the child his sight, because in the occipital part of the skull there are nerve endings connecting the visual center of the brain and the eyeballs.

In addition to vision problems, the child may have impaired coordination of movements and develop tremors. There is a high probability of neurological developmental abnormalities.

First aid for mechanical injuries of the skull

After a fall, do not hesitate to inspect the injured area and assess the severity of the injury. Then provide first aid and, if necessary, call an ambulance. If the bump or cut on your head is very large and looks scary, take a photo of the wound on mobile phone for a doctor (swelling of the soft tissues on the head can go away very quickly).

If a large lump or hematoma appears on the baby’s head

Calm the baby and apply a cold compress or just a bottle of water to the injury site. cold water, wrapped in thin cloth. Keep the compress on for five minutes and remove it for two to three minutes (to restore blood circulation). This will ease the pain a little and stop internal bleeding. Then apply the compress again for five minutes. Repeat these steps for about 20-30 minutes - it is during this time that the final formation of the hematoma occurs.

If there is a bleeding abrasion on the forehead or back of the head

Use a sterile cotton swab or a piece of bandage moistened with hydrogen peroxide to treat the abrasion, stop the bleeding by simply pressing a clean, dry bandage onto the wound (press lightly for three to five minutes).

For a child over two years old who can tolerate a slight tingling, the abrasion can be disinfected with rubbing alcohol, vodka, or washed with soap.

If blood continues to flow despite all manipulations, call an ambulance.

If after the fall you find no damage

Behave as usual, calm the baby and caress him. Constantly watch his behavior - any oddities should alert you. The child may begin to be capricious, complain of headaches and nausea, get tired quickly and sleep unusually long - all these are alarm bells indicating a possible concussion or neurological problems.

If your child cries after hitting his head, complains of nausea and migraines, loses consciousness and is uncoordinated, call an ambulance immediately.

How to behave if there is a slight suspicion of a concussion?

If your baby is old enough to explain his condition to his parents (he can tell where he hurts, that he feels nauseous or dizzy), and you see no compelling reason to take him to the doctor, but doubts remain, just watch.

• Immediately after the fall, calm the baby down and put him in bed, keep him busy with quiet games and stories, and read a book. Explain that everything is fine, but now you need to lie still for a while.
• Monitor your baby for several hours for any warning signs. Don't let yourself fall asleep for at least three to four hours: in your sleep you can miss the deterioration of the concussion.
• If the child is very young, wake him up at night and monitor his coordination of movements.
• Observe the fidget for three to four days: if no alarming signs were noticed during this period, then the injury passed without complications.

Bad Signs of a Head Injury

Any bruise of the skull requires careful long-term observation by parents at home or doctors in a hospital. To be on the safe side after an injury, if you decide to leave your baby at home, exclude his physical and mental stress: prohibit him from reading, watching TV or playing on the computer. The exception is quiet classical music. If the complications described below occur, take your baby to the pediatrician.

Alarming symptoms after a blow to the frontal part of the skull

After hitting the forehead or falling face down, the baby may experience the following symptoms, indicating dangerous complications:

• a depression (dent) on the forehead instead of the usual bump;
• the lump is abnormal big size;
• vomiting and nausea;
• dizziness, fainting;
• uncontrollable crying, hysterics;
• hard breath;
• paleness of facial skin;
• cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle;
• enlarged pupils, the appearance of strabismus;
• lethargy and lethargy;
• difficulty speaking;
• incoordination, stiffness of movements;
• bleeding from the ear or nose.

If a child exhibits at least one of these symptoms after hitting his head, call an ambulance immediately!

Place your baby on a sofa or bed on his back or side (for babies who are unable to roll over on their side if they vomit) and do not give any medications yourself: this can make it very difficult for doctors to diagnose.

Alarming symptoms after a blow to the back of the head

Occipital mechanical injuries can cause all of the above signs, as well as the following symptoms:

• numbness of the limbs;
• memory loss;
• double image in the eyes;
• loss of consciousness;
• severe headaches and dizziness.

According to statistics, it is the occipital injuries of the skull that most often lead to concussions, so they must be taken seriously.

Kids fall backward when they begin to move independently, with light jolts and loss of balance, while teenagers fall during fights, while roller skating or regular skating. Older children should be required to wear a helmet on their head to prevent injury.

Possible consequences

The head is one of the most important and vulnerable parts of our body, which is why injuries to the skull can have irreversible consequences that cause trouble for a lifetime. After head impacts, the child should be monitored. It is quite possible that he will become whiny, begin to sleep poorly and learn school material worse.

Consequences of injury to the frontal part of the skull

There are several types of injuries after a blow to the forehead:

• Open - soft tissues and bones of the skull are damaged, the injury is accompanied by bleeding and loss of consciousness, painful shock. In these cases, immediate hospitalization is necessary.
• Closed -soft fabrics and the bone is intact. There are varying degrees severity and require different treatment tactics.

1. Brain contusion is a serious condition, usually accompanied by prolonged loss of consciousness, nose or ear bleeding. Bruises appear around the eyes, speech is difficult. One of the facial nerves responsible for facial expressions may be affected.
2. A concussion is a common condition that occurs after severe trauma to the skull. It is characterized by vomiting and constant nausea, dizziness, bluish lips and pale skin on the face. In some cases, these symptoms may not be present, but an unusually poor, restless night's sleep is a reason to consult a doctor. In case of a concussion, a week of bed rest with a minimum of brain activity is prescribed.
3. Hematoma or lump accompanied by soft tissue swelling. The baby does not cry for long; soon after the pain is eliminated, he calms down and forgets about the incident.

Consequences of trauma to the occipital part of the skull

In addition to the above complications, blows to the back of the head can have the following consequences:

• absent-mindedness, inattention;
• incoordination of movements on one side (usually the one where the blow landed);
• memory impairment;
• insomnia;
• the appearance of constant migraines.

How to avoid injuries?

1. Never leave your baby on a sofa, a bed without sides or a changing table - he can instantly fall. It’s better to sit him on the floor or in his crib.
2. If you are sitting on the sofa with a baby, place a couple of large pillows on the floor - this will soften the fall in case of your oversight.
3. Always secure your baby with a seat belt when using a stroller or car seat.
4. When your child begins to learn to walk, a thick carpet will come to your aid - your feet won't slip on it, and falling won't hurt as much.
5. Buy socks with rubber bumps on the soles for your fidget - this will make it easier for him to walk and prevent him from falling.
6. Make your child wear a helmet when rollerblading, skating, biking, or scootering.
7. Make your apartment as safe as possible: buy rubber pads for sharp corners of furniture.

It is difficult to find a child who would never fall and get a bump during his childhood. As soon as the toddler learns to stand, bumps, bruises and scratches appear on his body. The world is so interesting to him that he begins to actively study it. The consequences of such studies are often head injuries.

Most of the “flights” end for the little fidget without much damage to health. Bumps caused by a child, as well as abrasions and small wounds, quickly disappear without causing much trouble. Everything would be fine, but there are injuries that threaten not only the health of the baby, but also life. What to do in this case?

If you hit your head, you must consult with the on-duty traumatologist.

Why are head impacts dangerous in young children?

Babies are fidgety - they constantly jump and run, which means they fall. As a result of these “flights,” bumps, bruises, abrasions, etc. appear on the head. Some parents do not pay attention, believing that this is normal and nothing needs to be done. This is their main mistake. If your child hits his head but doesn't complain, you should still see a doctor. Signs of injury may not appear immediately, but may take some time.

Depending on the complexity and nature of the injury, a head injury can provoke:

• epilepsy;
• intracranial hematoma turning into a tumor;
• encephalitis;
• traumatic meningitis.

When a child falls head down, he hits his forehead or fontanelle, resulting in a lump. Small vessels are injured upon impact, and the tissue around them fills with blood. This is how swelling and hematoma form. Thanks to the strong bones of the skull, such injuries do not pose a threat to the baby’s life.

It happens that a newborn or older baby falls on his back. Such a fall can lead to injury to the back of the head. Such bruises often cause serious complications, which pose a danger to the baby’s life.

Damage to the back of the head causes:

• loss of consciousness;
• concussions;
• deformation of the skull with subsequent compression of the brain;
• tissue bruise of the main organ of the central nervous system;
• trembling legs.

When children fall, they can injure not only their head, but also their body (dislocate a leg or hit their neck). The possibility of spinal cord injury cannot be ruled out, which can lead to problems with the musculoskeletal system.

Types and symptoms of head injuries

Head injuries are divided into:

• open;
• closed.

Open TBI is a head injury in which the integrity of the dura mater is disrupted, that is, the bones of the skull are crushed. The only treatment for such injuries is surgery.

With a closed injury, the skin and bones remain intact. Damage of this type includes:

• brain injury - characterized by loss of consciousness, nosebleeds, impaired speech and coordination, darkening of the skin in the eye area;
• bruise of soft tissues - as a result, a bump, bruise occurs, and prolonged crying is noted;
• concussion - can cause fever, severe vomiting, loss of consciousness for a short time, dizziness, clouding of consciousness.

If we consider head injuries by severity, the most harmless are bumps and bruises. They do not require medical attention and go away on their own. Next comes a concussion. It occurs in 90% of all head impacts. In third place in severity is brain injury and compression, which can lead to rupture of blood vessels. The most dangerous injury is an open head injury, which takes a very long and difficult time to heal.

After a fall, you need to carefully monitor your child's behavior

What symptoms indicate that a child’s head blow has not gone away without leaving a trace and that it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor? First of all, you need to pay attention to the following signs:

• tearfulness, not typical before;
• loud crying;
• lethargy, drowsiness;
• eye pupils have different sizes;
• loss of consciousness immediately after the blow;
• nausea and vomiting;
• headache;
• weakness in the limbs;
• disturbances of the sensory organs.

If the child is not yet a year old, then the alarming symptoms are:

• bleeding from the ears or nose;
• pale skin;
• protrusion of the fontanelle (more details in the article:);
• bruises under the eyes (we recommend reading:);
• frequent regurgitation, uncharacteristic for a baby;
• poor appetite or its complete absence;
• problems with vestibulation;
• speech and hearing impairment;
• restless sleep with constant twitching of the limbs.

Often, small children immediately fall asleep after hitting their head and crying for a short time.

The body of infants can react to damage in other ways. Immediately after a head injury, the baby can fall asleep soundly, and then wake up full of strength and energy. In this case, parents should not relax too much, believing that the fall passed without consequences. This reaction of the baby’s body can hide the true danger of the injuries received.

Consequences for the child

The consequences of hitting your head are very different. They depend on what part of the baby’s head was hit and the severity of the injury.

If a child falls down a slide or hits his forehead on the floor or asphalt, then at best he will get away with a bump. The situation is much more serious when the consequence of a baby’s fall is a traumatic brain injury, which can be either open or closed:

• open TBI threatens the child with clouding of consciousness, damage to the skull bones and a bleeding wound on the head;
• the consequences of closed TBI are brain contusions or concussions (more details in the article:).

If the baby hits the back of the head or fontanelle, the outcome can be extremely negative. It can be expressed:

• disturbance of perception;
• absent-mindedness, inattention;
• anxious sleep;
• memory problems;
• headache (we recommend reading:).

Hitting a baby with the back of the head or fontanelle can have very serious negative consequences.

You should not ignore the fact of a child’s head injury, because even a slight blow can lead to serious consequences:

• disruption of brain function;
• improper regulation of tone, which may result in increased blood pressure;
• impaired blood circulation;
• brain atrophy as a result of compression;
• increased intracranial pressure;
• cyst formation.

Timely initiation of therapy will help to avoid negative consequences. The main thing is not to miss the moment.

How to provide first aid after a fall?

Due to the fact that no child is immune from falls and blows, every parent should know how to behave if the child is seriously injured. Timely first aid will help minimize the risk of developing severe complications.

To begin with, adults should carefully but very carefully examine the site of the injury and try to visually determine the severity of the injury. If a child gets a bump or a hematoma forms at the site of the impact, then immediately apply ice or something cold to it (for example, a bottle of cold water or a wet handkerchief). To reduce swelling, keep the cold compress for at least 5 minutes.

It is recommended to apply a towel moistened with cold water to the site of the formed hematoma.

The child should be placed on the bed so that the head and spine are at the same level. If your baby suddenly has a fever and starts vomiting, he should be turned on his side. This position will ensure unhindered discharge of vomit. The victim will be able to breathe normally.

If, as a result of a fall, a child has an abrasion on his forehead and blood is flowing, it is necessary to treat the wound. The procedure will require a solution of hydrogen peroxide. It will prevent infection of the wound by pathogens. When the bleeding cannot be stopped, an ambulance should be called immediately.

The child may have a headache or dizziness (see also:). He may become too irritable and act up at the slightest provocation or even without it. The duration of his sleep increases, and the period of wakefulness, on the contrary, decreases. All of these symptoms may indicate that the victim has a serious head injury or concussion. If nausea, vomiting and loss of consciousness are added to all this, then parents urgently need to call a doctor.

Quite often it happens that the baby falls and hits his forehead, but there are no visible injuries at the site of the injury. In this case, parents should monitor the baby for several days and note the slightest deviations from the norm in his behavior.

What to do next?

After providing first aid, the child must be calmed down. Regardless of the force of the blow, the baby needs complete rest. To do this, he should be put in bed and, for example, read a book. It would also be a good idea to talk to him about what happened and explain that nothing bad happened, and as soon as he rests a little, he can continue playing.

Adults must do everything to keep the baby awake. He can't be allowed to sleep. Why? Because after injuries, many people begin to feel sleepy, but in this case, parents may miss the main symptoms indicating the severity of the injury.

At night, doctors strongly recommend waking up the child. This is necessary to test the victim's coordination. If, within a few days after the incident, the baby is in good health and absolutely nothing bothers him, parents can breathe a sigh of relief and no longer worry about this. The main thing they should provide is long, inactive walks with the child in the fresh air.

Diagnosis and treatment of head injuries

To find out whether the baby received a TBI due to impact, a number of tests and studies are carried out:

• Ultrasound of the brain for children under 1.5 years old;
• CT or MRI;
• electroencephalogram;
• Lumbar puncture.

Ultrasonography baby's neck and head

If the diagnosis is confirmed, the child is prescribed treatment. It includes:

• a course of medications - anticonvulsants, antispasmodics and sedatives;
• physiotherapy;
• individual mode - absolute rest, which involves excluding active games and any other physical activity, reducing TV and PC viewing.

Concussion in one year old baby or a child 2 years of age or older needs to be treated inpatiently so that doctors have the opportunity to monitor the condition of the little patient around the clock. In the department, the baby is guaranteed to receive the physical and psycho-emotional peace he needs. Treatment lasts 7-10 days.

Preventive measures

There is no pill that could protect a baby from all injuries. But there are a few simple rules that will keep falls to a minimum:

• a one-month-old baby, while on a changing table, bed or in a stroller, should never be left alone;
• When changing a diaper, the mother must hold the baby;
• It is better to cover the floor around the sofa with pillows so that a child playing on top does not hurt himself if he falls;
• When putting your baby in the stroller, don’t forget to fasten it;
• If you stop, the wheels of the stroller must be put on the brakes;
• At home, put your child on socks with rubber inserts that prevent slipping;
• every sharp corner in the apartment should be masked with special devices;
• hold the baby’s hand tightly while going down the stairs with him;
• When buying roller skates or a bicycle for your child, do not forget to buy a helmet and knee pads.

Hello dear readers. When a child begins to walk, he cannot be completely protected from falls; you can try to ensure his safety by removing all dangerous objects and corners in the little one’s path. However, you cannot completely protect your child from possible injuries. Do not forget that at first the baby will only master moving in a vertical position, so he may fall without maintaining his balance; later, his movements will not yet be sufficiently coordinated, so falls are also possible. And what can we say about outdoor games, when the baby can run, stumble and hit his head. Therefore, it is important to know when a child hits his head, what to look for, what symptoms in the toddler’s behavior can be considered alarming, and how to help first aid.

Is there any danger?

There are cases when children under one year old fell from the bed, changing tables, or fell out of the stroller. Mothers carried their little one to the hospital in horror. But is a fall as dangerous for a baby as we think? The little one still has lingering fontanelles on his head; it is their presence that absorbs the blow without causing much harm to its owner. In addition, babies up to two months of age still have a sufficient amount of fluid in their heads. This prevents serious injury.

Although there are also quite serious factors that contribute to the formation of serious injury after a fall. Therefore, it is important to know what symptoms in the behavior of toddlers after a head injury may indicate a serious development of events and possible problems, and you should also be able to provide first aid. After all, it is not so rare that a mother unknowingly tries to help her baby, but only makes it worse for him and contributes to the development of complications after hitting her head.

Alarming symptoms

1. General change in the baby’s well-being.
2. Severe crying that does not stop for a long time (longer than 15 minutes).
3. Severe headache, dizziness, fainting.
4. General weakness, drowsiness.
5. The occurrence of a convulsive state, paralysis of the arms or legs.
6. Severe nausea, vomiting.
7. Bleeding from the site of injury.
8. Clear discharge or bleeding from the sensory organs.
9. Hemorrhages in the eyeball.
10. Asymmetric pupils (difference in size).
11. Noise in ears.
12. Deterioration of appetite or its complete absence.
13. Poor sleep with frequent waking up in an anxious state.
14. Paleness of the skin surface.
15. Formation of blueness under the eyes.
16. Fast or slow heart rate.

If at least one symptom appears, you must urgently go to the clinic or call a doctor or an ambulance at home. Such symptoms, as a rule, indicate the presence of CMP. Therefore, it is better not to aggravate the process by inaction, but to get a doctor’s prescription as quickly as possible and give the baby specialized help.

Possible consequences of falling and hitting your head

Despite the unhealed fontanelles, the bones of the skull are still quite fragile and have not completely fused, so serious injury is possible after hitting the head in a fall.

If a child is diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, then it has the following classification:

1. Open. A condition in which the mother can visually observe protruding bone fragments from the surface of the baby’s head is characterized by a violation of the integrity of the skin.
2. Closed. With this injury, the damage affects only the brain and, as a rule, does not affect the structure of the skull bones and does not violate the integrity of the scalp.

Closed CMPs are represented by the following brain injuries:

1. Injury. Areas of destruction of brain matter appear. Characterized by prolonged fainting, possibly impaired respiratory and cardiac activity.
2. Shake. The structure of the brain matter remains intact. Temporary fainting, nausea, vomiting, possibly pale skin, drowsiness, lack of appetite, and restless sleep are typical.
3. Compression. Accompanied by a bruise. Occurs due to fragments of the skull bones or ruptures in the vascular system of the head.

First aid

Most often on forums, parents ask the question: the child hit his forehead, what should I do? Often the baby falls and injures this particular part of the head. Although blows to the back of the head and even the temple are not uncommon. And the latter pose a particular danger. Let's look at what parents should do if their baby falls and hits his head.

First of all, you should inspect the little one for possible damage. It is important to remain calm. Ask your child what is bothering him. Children who cannot speak can point to the place where it hurts.

1. If a child hits his forehead and a lump forms at the site of the impact, then first you will need a cold compress. If you use ice in any form, be sure to wrap it in a cloth to prevent the development of a cold burn. Let the ice sit for at least four minutes. This procedure will prevent the formation severe swelling and hematomas or slow down this process.
2. If a bleeding wound appears after a head blow, it is necessary to moisten a cotton swab, for example, in hydrogen peroxide and blot the wound with it. This will help disinfect damaged skin. If there is prolonged bleeding lasting more than 10 minutes, this is quite an alarming signal, you better call an ambulance.
3. In cases where, after a fall and a blow to the head, the child has no visible injuries, it is necessary to carefully monitor the child’s behavior and condition for three to four days. If alarming symptoms appear, see a doctor.
4. Take your baby's pulse. If bradycardia or tachycardia is characteristic, this is a reason to consult a doctor.
5. Make sure the pupils are the same. If this is not the case, it is better to call a doctor.
6. Remember, parents, when providing first aid, should not give analgesics; this can blur the picture for making a correct diagnosis when examining the child by an emergency doctor.
7. After hitting your head, especially if your child hits his temple, do not let him fall asleep. Because of this, the complete picture of the possible occurrence of symptoms will be missed. In addition, sleep after such an injury can cause complications.
8. It is important to immobilize the baby after hitting the head. Now he needs rest, even if the injury is minor, it’s better to be safe.
9. It is recommended to wake up the little one at night after the blow to make sure that everything is in order with his coordination and there are no complications.

My six-year-old son fell while playing in the yard and hit the back of his head. This happened because another boy pushed my son (it happened so suddenly that I didn’t even have time to react), and my baby flew into a stone wall. Blood appeared at the site of injury and an abrasion formed. I took my son in my arms to immobilize him, and went home with him. It’s good that they were right in front of the house, two steps from the entrance. I treated the wound with hydrogen peroxide, applied a bandage folded in several layers and bandaged the head. As it turned out, the scratch was minor, just the outer layer of the skin was damaged. The child’s condition was absolutely normal, there were no complaints. Just in case, I called the pediatrician, she said to monitor his behavior for four days. If there are changes, go to the clinic. Fortunately, everything worked out for us.

Measures to prevent possible falls

1. If a new stage has begun in your baby's life motor activity(the child began to sit, crawl, walk, run), it is necessary to take care of his safety by removing all dangerous places in the room.
2. Never leave your baby unattended if he is lying on a bed or table. Even a toddler who has just started to roll over from his back to his tummy can fall.
3. If you are walking outdoors, make sure that your baby is secured in the stroller, especially if he already knows how to sit.
4. If you use a walker, it is best to keep your child in your line of sight as well.
5. The baby can simply slip while walking on the floor. Buy special socks or slippers for him, with rubber inserts on the soles.
6. Never worry about the fact that your little one may fall and get injured sooner or later. So you just once again If you disrupt your psyche, your feelings are transmitted to the baby, and he also begins to get nervous. But in your case, nothing may happen.

Never forget that our children are active from birth, it just manifests itself to varying degrees. It is better if the child avoids falls, but since no one is immune from them, remember that not all cases of falling and hitting their head on a hard surface indicate a traumatic brain injury. The main thing is that there is no need to panic if a blow occurs, collect your thoughts and act according to the first aid plan.

Often our children fall and we ask the question: “Should we call an ambulance?” Well, I found an interesting article on one of the sites about the signs of traumatic brain injuries and first aid for a child.

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? It all depends on the severity of the injury, but the most important thing is to calm down and think soberly.

A child fell out of bed and hit his head: possible injuries

When small children fall, hitting their head is inevitable. What matters is not exactly where he hit when he fell (forehead or back of the head), but the severity of the brain damage.

A child’s body differs in many ways from an adult’s; the bones of the skull are not completely fused until they are one year old (they are easily displaced), and the brain tissue is fragile and immature. All of these factors predispose to more severe brain damage.

All traumatic brain injuries are divided into:
- open (damaged bones and soft tissues)
-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.

Symptoms indicating a brain injury

A concussion is manifested by a short-term loss of consciousness. In children under one 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 may be pale 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.

How to assess the severity of an injury if a child falls and hits his head?

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 out of bed - first aid

If a lump appears at the site of the impact, you can apply ice in a napkin or something cold. Magnesia has a resolving effect; lotions with this solution should be done 2 times a day.

If there is bleeding, a cloth in the form of a tampon is applied to the wound. If the bleeding does not stop for more than 15 minutes, you must call an ambulance.

If a child falls and hits his forehead or the back of his head, he should not sleep for an hour (this applies to children over one year old), because by the adequacy of his answers and reactions to your questions, you can understand whether the brain has been damaged. You can (and should) wake up and check your coordination at night.

The child must be monitored very closely and cared for for 7 days if the doctor has allowed him to stay at home. The child needs peace and lack of visual stress (this is especially true for children over 1.5-2 years old).

Should I call an ambulance if my child falls and hits his head?

In case of loss of consciousness and severe bleeding from the wound, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance. Before her arrival, it is better to lay the baby on his side, especially if there is vomiting (in this position he will not choke).

If a child falls from a great height on his head or back, the spine may be damaged. Then the baby’s position should be changed very carefully to avoid spinal cord injury.

An ambulance should be called if any of the alarming symptoms appear:
-deterioration in health
- the child “falls asleep on the go”, experiences dizziness (this applies to older children)
- spasms or twitching of body muscles
- wide pupils do not narrow in bright light or pupils of different sizes
-severe pallor
-blood in urine, stool or vomit
-paresis or paralysis of muscles

For severe brain injuries, appropriate treatment is prescribed only after a thorough examination of the child.

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, do not neglect to secure 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 always be 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.