What to do if a child hits his head
Falls in children happen quite often. In some cases, everything goes away with bruises and bumps, but sometimes the child needs medical attention.If a child hits his head, a cold compress can be applied to the site of the injury Photo: Getty Signs that should alert parents:
- The child began to cry not immediately after the impact, but after a few seconds. This can mean that for a while he lost consciousness;
- The child turned very pale, sweat came out of him;
- Its beginning to vomit or soon it turns out that the appetite completely disappeared;
- Soon after the blow, the baby began to sleep.
All these symptoms indicate that the parentsshould seek medical help. Infants deserve special attention. The bones of their skulls are still soft and 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 a baby hits his head, the usual symptoms such as vomiting and loss of consciousness may be absent. The baby cannot yet tell about his condition, and you cannot hesitate in dangerous situations. Therefore, if a child under one year hits his head, it is advisable to always call an ambulance. It is necessary to exclude concussion and fracture of the cranial vault. Infants often hit their heads due to the negligence of their parents, 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 a small child can also be injured by falling from his own height, for example, if he is learning to stand on his feet. Immediately after hitting the head, you need to apply a cold compress to the bruise for 5-10 minutes. If blood appears, it is stopped with a cotton swab. If it was decided to hospitalize the child, in a hospital setting he will definitely be provided with assistance and all necessary examinations will be carried out. He will be examined by a surgeon, neurosurgeon, neuropathologist. To exclude a fracture of the cranial vault, an X-ray is taken. Neurosonography is used for infants - an examination of brain structures using an ultrasound sensor. But this procedure can only be carried out if the fontanelle has not yet closed - that is, up to 1-1.5 years. Do not spare time for the examination of the baby, because the consequences of a concussion can haunt him throughout his life. It is also useful to know: