Young children are very restless, and older boys, every minute exploring new territories, and even more so every kid always falls and it's not an accident. Probably, there is no child in the world who would not have fallen before the age of two. Since in crumbs the relative weight of the head is much larger than the weight of the body, then when it falls, it usually hits just the head (most often the parietal region is injured, less often the frontal and occipital). Fortunately, nature has taken care of the baby's brain safety: the joints in the child's skull are still elastic, which minimizes the likelihood of a concussion. And yet sometimes the fall of the baby leads to a traumatic brain injury. Find out how to act and in what cases to take the baby to the doctor.
Careless fidget
A one and a half year old, playing, hit his head on the edge of the nightstand or crashed off the couch? If for a few minutes on the site of the bruise there is no swelling, and there is only a slight swelling, the baby is cheerful and feels well, there is no reason to worry: the babies have a bruised soft head tissue or, more simply, a lump. Apply a cold compress (a piece of ice, a towel soaked in cold water, or a cabbage leaf from the refrigerator) to the swelling for 5-10 minutes. You should be alerted if the baby crieves loudly, becomes restless and especially if the baby becomes sluggish and soon falls asleep. During the day, carefully observe the baby. The child should be urgently taken for examination to a traumatologist and neurologist if the following symptoms appear:
• fainting (even for a few seconds);
• vomiting or nausea, the baby refuses to eat;
• signs of impaired consciousness (for example, strange, unnatural movements of the eyes or hands);
• blood flowed from the nose or ear of the baby.
These are signs of concussion or other serious injuries. Go to the emergency room of the children's hospital or call an ambulance. On the road, make sure that the smaller one moves. And try to stay calm!
Very small
Unfortunately, every baby always falls and babe is not an exception. When falling from the changing table or falling out of the stroller, the baby can get damaged. It is better to be safe and show the baby to the doctor, even if at first glance everything is in order. In infants, loss of consciousness during a traumatic brain injury is a rarity, unlike older children and adults. The child can become restless, refuse to eat. The most accurate sign of a concussion in a baby is vomiting or frequent regurgitation. Whatever it was, consult a neurologist.
Required examinations
The doctor will examine the child, ask about his behavior. To clarify the diagnosis and determine the scheme of treatment, it may be necessary to undergo some examinations. The most accurate information is provided by neurosonography - a study of the structure of the brain using ultrasound apparatus through a large fontanel (such a study can be done until the large fontanel closes: up to 1-1.5 years). This examination is not related to X-ray radiation and therefore harmless.
Even if the doctor did not find any serious injuries, still during a week be attentive to the crumb, because sometimes the effects of the impact are not immediately apparent. Show the baby to the doctor again if you notice a sleep disturbance (unusual drowsiness or, on the contrary, excessive excitability), twitching of hands or feet, black feces with blood veins or pinkish hue of urine, very wide pupils, tapering off light, loss of appetite , frequent regurgitation (or complaints of nausea in older babies), and also if the little eyes of the baby suddenly began to mow.
If the crumbs have a concussion
According to medical rules, all children with traumatic brain injury are hospitalized, so the doctor will offer you a hospital. But you have the right to refuse and carry out the prescribed treatment at home. Think about where you can provide the best conditions for the baby. Remember, the main thing in the treatment of concussion is rest. The child needs bed rest and minimum movement. Of course, it's extremely difficult to persuade a one-year-old fagot to lie all day. If at home you can count on the help of relatives, it is better not to go to the hospital, especially since the new situation is an additional stress for the crumbs. Maybe the doctor will also prescribe a course of medications (for elimination of edema, lowering of intracranial pressure, correction of metabolism in the brain, etc.). Be sure to ask if the prescribed drugs have side effects. Do you have any doubts? Consult with several specialists.
Attention to the crumbs!
Remember that every kid always falls and never for a second leave the baby unattended on a changing table, bed or other open surface without the sides. Even a month-old baby, lying on his stomach, can pounce his feet off the wall or from the back of the sofa and fall. It takes just a moment! When changing a crumb, always hold it with your hand, especially when you are distracted, for example, you take out a diaper from the box. Always securely fasten your baby in a stroller, feeding chair, walker. Do not forget about your safety, because now you often wear your crumbs in your arms. Be careful in winter so as not to slip, be attentive in dark places and on stairs where it's easy to stumble.