Concussion in infants. Concussion in children. Differential complex diagnostics

Up to 10 years of age, any strong impact can cause injury. Impacts, falls, jumps and even sudden braking run the risk of resulting in “shaken baby syndrome” and concussion.

In young children, mild symptoms are less noticeable, but serious trauma is more likely to lead to behavioral problems, emotional and physical consequences in later years.

As you grow older, by the age of 10, the signs of illness become more and more similar to a concussion in an adult.

How to determine that there is a problem?

The first symptoms of a concussion in a 3-year-old child appear immediately or after a couple of hours (sometimes days). Loss of coordination, nausea and vomiting, headache, dizziness, altered pulse - a characteristic condition.

Important! Children don't always lose consciousness. The injury is indicated by 2-3 signs of malaise.

Signs of a concussion in a child under 3 years of age

Children are active, curious, not afraid of heights, they have fragile bones and a developing skull. Although fluid in the brain tissue can cushion the blow, it is often the head that is injured. It is heavier than other parts of the body, and the child does not have time to put his hands up when falling. Preschoolers account for 20% of pediatric concussion calls.

At 3-4 years old

• Consciousness “fades away” for a few seconds and the child cannot explain how he received the injury.
• He staggers and his movements are uncoordinated.
• Sensitivity and response to stimuli is reduced due to a lack of oxygen in brain cells.
• There are complaints of headache, tinnitus, dizziness.
• The skin becomes pale or whitish.
• Failure of blood circulation provokes nausea or characteristic repeated vomiting.
• The baby is covered in cold sweat.
• Breathing quickens, tears and saliva flow.
• Pulse is rare.
• Complaints of pain in the navel, pressure in the left hypochondrium.
• The child loses his appetite, sleeps poorly, and is capricious.

Symptoms in children aged 5 to 6 years

Manifestation of the disease in girls and boys of school age

By the age of 7-8 years, the formation of the skull is completed, the bones become stronger, head growth slows down, and the brain is less susceptible to external influences. The first signs of injury in children 7-8 years old often appear after a couple of hours. The physical and emotional consequences of a concussion lead to the fact that the student has difficulty concentrating, academic performance drops, and apathy, irritability and aggressiveness appear. If a child refuses favorite activities and sleeps a lot, this indicates hidden problems.

For first graders 6-7 years old

• Fainting, short-term memory loss (up to 15 minutes).
• “Post-traumatic blindness” and hearing impairment are possible.
• Loss of orientation.
• Tachycardia.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Red circles before the eyes.
• Weakness and trembling of the limbs.
• Cold sweat.
• Pallor.
• Insomnia.

For students in grades 2-4

Symptoms of a concussion in children under 10 years of age are as follows:

• Fainting can last from a few seconds to 10-15 minutes.
• The small arteries of the face alternately narrow and widen, and the pallor of the skin gives way to redness.
• Vision is impaired: gaze paralysis, chaotic movements of the eyeballs, short-term strabismus, changes in the width of the pupils, double vision.
• The schoolboy complains of a strong headache, sometimes he cannot hold back his tears.
• A gag reflex and nausea appear.
• Breathing is uneven.
• There is bleeding from the nose or ears.
• Coordination and memory are impaired (unable to tell what happened before the injury).
• The pulse quickens (more than 90 beats) or falls (less than 60).

Important! Visual impairment (post-traumatic blindness) at all ages lasts from a few minutes to a couple of hours after the impact. It passes without visible consequences.

Manifestations depending on severity

Signs in babies under 5

Injuries to the developing skull have a greater impact on future health, but younger children almost never lose consciousness - this is more common among older schoolchildren.

Symptoms in children 6-10 years old

It can often be delayed - Symptoms appear hours or days after the impact.

1. For mild concussion- no loss of consciousness. Mild malaise (nausea, headache, dizziness). It passes, like in young children, in 15-20 minutes without visible consequences.
2. For moderate trauma— a schoolchild complains of deteriorating vision, “spots” in front of the eyes and tinnitus, and vomiting. After an injury, it is difficult for him to maintain balance, he “turns off” for 1-2 minutes or loses concentration. To determine the problem, just ask him simple questions.
3. Heavy- loss of consciousness, disturbances in thinking and speech, severe headache, frequent vomiting, perspiration. The injury disrupts the sequential chain of events in his memory, and he cannot say how he received the concussion. In rare cases, the child loses other memories.

Schoolchildren often do not admit that they have been injured. The appearance of several symptoms is a reason to immediately consult a specialist.

First aid

Regardless of the severity of the injury you need to quickly deliver the victim to the trauma center yourself or call an ambulance. It is necessary to ensure a flow of fresh air and peace. The child is placed on his side so that he does not choke on vomit. If you are very thirsty, wet your lips with water, but drinking is not recommended. Pulse changes are monitored through the carotid artery. Cold is applied to the lump. If there is a wound, then apply a clean gauze or cloth to its surface.

The child is not allowed to sleep: when awake, the dynamics of the condition are better visible.

If the child is unconscious, he is placed on his right side, his right bent arm is placed under his head, and his legs are bent at the knees. This position will also prevent you from choking on vomit.

Treatment

For moderate and severe cases, hospital treatment is prescribed. In mild cases, the child is treated on an outpatient basis.

In the hospital

In the hospital, hardware examinations are carried out that will reveal the extent of damage. The victim is provided with complete rest, bed rest and medication. The choice of medications is aimed at:

Traumatic brain injury ranks first among all injuries in children of all ages. Children are very active and curious, and the lack of fear and experience leads to various bruises and falls, with the head most often suffering. In such cases, it is necessary to be especially attentive to the child’s condition in order to promptly detect signs of a concussion and immediately begin treatment in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor.

Shulepin Ivan Vladimirovich, traumatologist-orthopedist, highest qualification category

Total work experience over 25 years. In 1994 he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Medical and Social Rehabilitation, in 1997 he completed a residency in the specialty “Traumatology and Orthopedics” at the Central Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics named after. N.N. Prifova.

All traumatic brain injuries are divided into 3 groups according to severity:

• lungs - concussion;
• moderate severity - mild to moderate brain contusion;
• severe - severe brain contusion.

Although a concussion is classified as a mild brain injury, it can be quite serious and is also classified into 3 degrees of severity:

• light;
• average;
• heavy.

In mild cases, short-term functional changes occur in the brain - vascular spasm, disruption of communication between the cells of the cortex and the base of the brain. The average degree is characterized by more stable disorders, the development of local edema at the site of injury. In case of severe concussion minor hemorrhages and swelling occur, and persistent dysfunction of nerve cells occurs. All changes are reversible if help is provided in time and adequate treatment is carried out.

Symptoms

It is not always easy to recognize a head injury in a child if, for example, there is no bump on the forehead, and the fact of the blow went unnoticed. Children from one year begin to walk and even run, and often fall. You can suspect a head injury by the way the child cries; he cannot express his complaints. Older children, preschool age, often hide the fact of an injury so as not to be punished or deprived of the opportunity to play. Therefore, you need to be able to recognize a concussion by its main symptoms:

• loss of consciousness;
• the appearance of a headache;
• change in general condition;
• changes in vision, pupil reaction;
• the appearance of vomiting.

How to understand that a child has a concussion. Main symptoms

Loss of consciousness

This symptom is short-term, lasting from several seconds to several minutes, and manifests itself in the baby “passing out,” accompanied by pallor and sweating. Not typical for a mild form of concussion. Prolonged loss of consciousness indicates more severe brain damage. In infants, a feature of the symptoms is extremely rare cases of loss of consciousness.

Headache

It is observed in 80-90% of concussion cases. The baby begins to cry, the skin of the face turns red. Older children hold their heads and complain of pain; often they do not appear immediately after the injury, but after some time.

Changes in general condition

There is such a sign as “shaken baby syndrome”, it is manifested by a change in his behavior. For example, if the baby was active, he suddenly becomes lethargic and sleepy, and vice versa - a calm baby suddenly becomes excited and too active.

Eyes and pupils during concussion

Immediately after the injury, the child may see poorly or not at all for a short time; darkening occurs in the eyes, which quickly passes. It is necessary to check the pupillary reaction to light. To do this, bring the baby to a window or to a place with good lighting; normally, in the light, the pupils narrow, and if you cover the light with your palm, they dilate. If this does not happen, then there is a brain injury. It may also be that one pupil is wider than the other. Nystagmus may be observed - a twitching of one or both eyeballs to the side, upward.

Vomit

A common symptom of a concussion. Breastfed children experience frequent regurgitation, and one-year-old and older children experience repeated urges and vomiting that does not bring relief.

Both vomiting and pain may not appear with a mild concussion. In addition to these symptoms, there may be other signs that are neurovegetative in nature: causeless restlessness and moodiness, change in skin color(pallor, areas of redness on the face, neck, chest), increased sweating. It may also be observed increased breathing and heart rate, as if a child was running. Possibly increase in body temperature.

You should also carefully examine your scalp and face. You can detect an abrasion, wound, bump, bruise, but not necessarily. A concussion can occur without a head impact during an indirect injury - a counter-impact, for example, during a jump from a height or a fall on the buttocks.

First aid to the victim

Without a doctor's examination, it is impossible to distinguish an ordinary bruise from a concussion, so the child must call an ambulance and be taken to the emergency room or children's hospital, where there are specialist neuropathologists or neurosurgeons.

Before the ambulance arrives, you need to provide assistance: lay the child down, provide him with peace, put a cloth soaked in cold water or a cold heating pad on his forehead. If a child is vomiting, the head should be turned to the side. You also need to count the pulse rate and, if possible, measure the pressure in both arms, temperature, write it down on a piece of paper, and most importantly, do not take your eyes off the child.

If there are wounds or abrasions on the head, they should be covered with a sterile gauze cloth, bandaged or fixed with a plaster.

No medications should be given before being examined by a doctor.

Diagnostic methods

In order to accurately identify the fact of a concussion and the degree of its severity, a child of any age is examined in a hospital setting.

1. Examination of a specialist – pediatric neurologist, neurosurgeon.
2. X-ray of the skull (school-age children, adolescents).
3. Neurosonography is an ultrasound examination of the brain (performed for children under 2 years of age).
4. Echoencephalography is an ultrasound examination of the brain that can detect the presence of hemorrhages and hematomas in the cranial cavity.
5. Computed tomography (CT) is the most accurate method, detecting damage to bone and brain tissue with great accuracy.
6. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - reveals not only anatomical damage, but also recognizes functional disorders of the brain.
7. Spinal (lumbar) puncture - performed when intracranial pressure increases, helps to measure it, determine the presence of blood in the fluid, which indicates hemorrhage in the brain, under the membranes.
8. Consultation with an ophthalmologist.

Treatment methods

The treatment of a concussion in a child is carried out by a pediatric neurologist, and if the injury is severe, a neurosurgeon also takes part in it. Required condition - hospitalization, so that the specialist can observe the dynamics of the victim’s condition.

It often happens that the first days after an injury the symptoms do not appear, but then increase and indicate severe damage.

Bed rest is established, preschool children are hospitalized together with their mother or another family member. A gentle diet without salt and with fluid restriction, and drug therapy are prescribed.

Drug treatment

The treatment program includes the following:

• diuretics - to prevent cerebral edema (diacarb, furosemide);
• potassium preparations, since it is excreted by diuretics (panangin, potassium orotate, asparkam);
• sedatives (valerian, motherwort, phenazepam);
• analgesics (baralgin, sedalgin and others);
• antiemetics (Dramina, Cerucal);
• antihistamines (loratadine, fenistil, Zyrtec and others);
• vitamins B1, B6, B12, folic acid.

On average, with a mild injury, a child is discharged after 3-5 days; for moderate injuries, treatment lasts up to 2 weeks; for severe injuries, up to a month or more.

Treatment at home

After discharge from the hospital, the child is prescribed rehabilitation treatment at home, its duration is at least a month. First of all, you need to eliminate physical and psycho-emotional stress, ensure proper wakefulness and sleep patterns, and a nutritious diet. You should limit watching TV shows, using a computer, tablet, or cell phone as much as possible.

It is necessary to perform physical therapy exercises, which are recommended by the doctor, with a gradual increase in loads.

Walking in the fresh air for at least 2 hours a day is required.

Among the medications you can take children's vitamin and mineral complexes, tincture of passionflower, motherwort, and valerian. Other medications are prescribed only by a doctor according to indications.

After a concussion, a child is taken to a dispensary by a neurologist. Regular visits to the doctor, examination and treatment adjustments are needed. You should also visit an ophthalmologist twice a year.

How to treat a child with head injuries

Complications and consequences

Traumatic brain injury always leaves consequences that may be temporary and not severe: increased fatigue, asthenia, restless sleep, nervousness. Young children often have various fears that were not observed before. There may be a decrease in memory and attention, and academic performance in school-aged children decreases. Severe complications are: convulsive syndrome, epileptic seizures, development of hydrocephalus(accumulation of fluid in the cranial cavity), mental disorders.

Long-term consequences are also possible, months and years later, if treatment and rehabilitation were carried out incorrectly: severe weather dependence, vegetative-vascular dystonia, migraines, gait and balance disorders, excessive activity, changes in behavior and character, mental disorders.

Conclusion

Parents need to understand that any, even mild, traumatic brain injury can cause serious harm to the child’s health. Only a doctor can determine the presence of a concussion, so at the slightest suspicion you should seek emergency help and follow all the instructions of specialists.

The famous pediatrician Komarovsky focuses on the fact that any traumatic brain injury in a child is fraught with potential danger, even despite the absence of pronounced symptoms.

Evgeny Komarovsky about head injuries in a child. How to act correctly in such cases

The most common traumatic brain injury in children is concussion. And although this form of injury is considered quite mild, a concussion in a child always causes anxiety and concern for parents. And not in vain - if you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, a brain injury can cause unpleasant, although reversible, consequences from which the baby will suffer.

A concussion in itself is not fatal, but there are a number of things to consider that can make it dangerous.

How does a concussion occur?

A mild degree of traumatic brain injury, in which a mark in the form of a contusion, wound, bump or bruise may remain on the child’s head, but the skull remains intact - this is how a concussion in children is characterized.

Changes in the brain with this type of injury occur at such a minute level that even with modern diagnostic methods it is not possible to determine them.

Important! In essence, a concussion is a condition in which the brain is shaken in the skull, in which no special disturbances or changes in the functioning of the brain occur.

Concussions in children occur in 90% of all trauma cases. This is explained by the extreme physical activity of children, their excessive restlessness, curiosity and restlessness. Children explore the world with curiosity, but their motor skills and motor coordination are very uncertain, and the feeling of fear of falling and heights is most often completely absent.

Safety skills in children have not yet been developed, and the skull has much more weight than that of an adult, so children most often do not rely on their limbs when flying upside down, but fall on their heads.

The causes of traumatic brain injury in children vary depending on their age:

• In newborns (2% of the total number of TBIs in children) and babies under one year old (25%), head and brain injuries are primarily the result of parental negligence and inattention. A concussion in an infant most often occurs after a fall from a stroller, crib, changing table, etc. Therefore, parents are always warned that they should not leave the baby in a place where it can roll or fall, and they should always keep the child at arm's length.
• At the age of 1 year, the baby can already walk and move independently, so the number of injuries decreases somewhat (8%). In a child aged 2-3 years to 6 years of age (20%), the cause of head concussions is excessive activity associated with a lack of fear of falling and heights. Such injuries are of a wide variety of nature and most often children receive them by falling from their own height, from trees, children's slides, stairs, etc. Moreover, at this age, after a concussion, children often keep silent about the fact of a fall and a blow to the head, so it is especially important not to leave the child without adult supervision for a long time.
• Children of school age (45% of all cases) are injured most often, and they are in no hurry to inform their parents about their fall or injury, seeking help only when their health worsens in the future.

In children of preschool and school age, the so-called “shaken child syndrome” often occurs, when a concussion occurs when brute force is applied to the head area, accompanied by sudden braking or acceleration (for example, when jumping from a great height). In infants, this syndrome can occur even after severe motion sickness.

A concussion can be described quite simply: when struck, a slight shock to the brain occurs, as a result of which the capillaries, wall or bones of the head are not damaged. Externally, a bump or slight redness may appear at the point of impact

Signs of a concussion and its symptoms

A mild concussion does not cause irreversible damage to the brain, but the clinical signs of this condition are specific and may vary depending on the age of the child.

Common first signs of a concussion in a child:

• Pallor of the skin;
• Feelings of restlessness and anxiety;
• Attacks of chills;
• Sleep problems;
• The appearance of a feeling of unreality of what is happening;
• Fatigue, drowsiness;
• Memory losses.

It is extremely difficult to establish a concussion in a child under one year of age, because usually it is mild or asymptomatic. How to recognize a concussion in a child over 2 years old:

• Single vomiting (less often – multiple);
• The fontanel swells;
• Pallor of the skin, especially the face;
• Too frequent spitting up;
• Poor appetite or lack thereof;
• Excessive excitability, constant crying;
• Fatigue, poor sleep.

The temperature during a concussion is not constant, i.e. its decrease or increase is not associated with traumatic brain injury.

Important! Very often, the first sign of a concussion in young children may be a strong desire to sleep or drink and eat.

A child over two years old can already talk about the injury or show where it hurts. If in children under one year of age a concussion is usually not detected, then in children from 2 to 10 years of age, vomiting and dizziness are more often observed immediately after the impact.

How to determine a concussion in a child over 2 years old:

• Dizziness accompanied by headaches;
• Loss of consciousness (in most cases), but the baby does not remember that he fell and lost consciousness;
• Tearfulness;
• Gag reflex, nausea;
• Slowing heart rate;
• Increased sweating;
• Restless sleep;
• Pale skin.

Note! If the blow is strong enough, vision loss may occur for a short period (post-traumatic blindness). This symptom does not always appear immediately after the injury; it may occur for a few minutes or last several hours, gradually subsiding.

How does a concussion manifest in schoolchildren?

• Intense pain in the head;
• Loss of consciousness, sometimes lasting up to 15 minutes;
• Memory loss regarding the causes of injury and the nature of its occurrence;
• Impaired coordination of movements;
• Constant vomiting or nausea;
• Manifestation of neurological symptoms (twitching of the eyeball, for example).

Signs of a concussion in a child may not begin to appear immediately, but after some time - this is a distinctive feature of childhood concussions. Therefore, it is important to monitor the child in the next few hours after the injury. If suddenly the child becomes sharply worse (nausea, severe vomiting, fainting occurs), then immediate medical attention is required.

In school-age children, symptoms usually subside on the third day after receiving a concussion. For some time after the injury, the child may complain of minor dizziness or motion sickness in transport, but gradually these symptoms disappear.

What to do if you have a concussion

For any head injury in a child, it is advisable to immediately call an ambulance so that the child can be examined in a hospital setting by specialists (surgeon,). A timely diagnosis will help avoid complications and get the child back on his feet faster.

What to do if a child has a concussion before doctors arrive:

• The child should not be allowed to fall asleep during the first hour after the injury;
• Place the child on a hard surface and cover with a blanket - provided that the child is conscious;
• If the child is unconscious, he should be placed on his right side, while the left arm and leg should be bent at an angle of 90 degrees to ensure proper breathing;
• In case of slow pulsation and uneven breathing, perform indirect cardiac massage and artificial respiration (if parents are trained in such techniques).
• You should not give your child painkillers and any activity should be limited.

Until the doctors arrive, the child should be completely at rest. In this case, it is advisable to have time to interview the baby in advance about the symptoms that are bothering him, the nature and cause of the injury, etc.

Upon arrival at the hospital, the child will be examined and will find out all the complaints of the little patient and determine the nature of the injury. Doctors will check the baby’s sensitivity, motor activity, reflexes, and determine intracranial blood pressure. If necessary, additional examination may be prescribed:

• X-ray – prescribed to rule out skull fractures;
• Neurosonography – reveals the presence of edema, hematomas, hemorrhages in the brain area;
  Ultrasound – assesses the general condition of the brain;
• ECHO-encephalography, electroencephalography;

Even if the symptoms of a concussion are not clearly expressed and the child feels quite tolerably, this is not proof that he did not receive a concussion. It happens that children may not show any concern and have no complaints for several hours (or even days). But such a favorable state can suddenly turn into malaise with rapidly increasing symptoms that are dangerous for the baby.

If serious symptoms are detected, you should immediately contact a doctor, who will order tests and help avoid serious consequences.

Treatment in hospital and at home

Children with any traumatic brain injury (especially young children) must be hospitalized in a hospital.

Treatment of a concussion in a hospital is to ensure control over the child’s condition, identify and prevent possible complications (intracranial hematomas, cerebral edema, etc.). Of course, the likelihood of developing serious complications from concussions is small, but the consequences of such conditions can be irreversible and lead to a sharp deterioration in the child’s condition.

Typically, for concussions, the standard hospitalization for a child is up to seven days. But if the baby is in good health and provided that neurosonography does not reveal any abnormalities, this period can be reduced to 3-4 days.

Staying in a hospital also creates the calm psycho-emotional environment necessary for the child - social and physical activity is limited. Conditions in the hospital do not allow noisy games, running around, watching TV or playing computer games.

During the hospital stay, the child is given medication therapy:

• To prevent cerebral edema, diuretics (Furosemide, Diacarb) are prescribed along with potassium supplements (,).
• Sedative and sedative medications (valerian tincture, Phenozepam).
• drugs (Diazolin, Suprastin, Diphenhydramine).
• To reduce severe headaches - Sedalgin, Baralgin.
• For constant nausea - Cerucal.

The child's condition in the hospital is constantly monitored by medical staff. If there is a noticeable deterioration, a repeat examination is carried out and an appropriate treatment regimen is prescribed. If the child is in stable, satisfactory condition, he is allowed to go home after a few days with a signature from his parents.

How to treat a concussion at home? At home, the child will have to take nootropic drugs and vitamin complexes under the supervision of parents - these medications are prescribed when the patient is discharged from the hospital. For 2-3 weeks, the child’s physical activity should be minimized: watching TV and computer should be limited, you should not move actively, play sports, or take long walks.

Important! Bed rest and taking medications prescribed by a doctor should also be observed at home after the child is discharged from the hospital for 1.5-2 weeks.

If there is any even slight deterioration in the condition - the appearance of convulsions, regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, increased drowsiness, headaches, you should immediately inform your doctor.

It is important to understand that if serious symptoms of a concussion are detected, you should never self-medicate. A visit to the doctor is mandatory, and after all the tests have been completed, you can already think about recovery and treatment at home

Consequences and prognosis

Concussions in children, although they are fairly mild forms of traumatic brain injury, can still cause negative effects in the child for some time.

Consequences of a concussion:

• Frequent intense headaches;
• Attacks of vomiting that occur for no apparent reason;
• Lethargy when performing normal activities;
• Unexplained irritability;
• Sleep disturbance, insomnia;
• Meteor dependence.

Such symptoms are very rare and usually go away on their own within 2-3 weeks. After this time, the child returns to his usual lifestyle - he can attend nursery, school, and play sports.

If you have a concussion, you should not refuse hospitalization to avoid possible complications of the injury. Treatment of a concussion is not burdened by medicinal methods - Dr. Komarovsky claims that in case of a concussion, it is enough to maintain rest and quiet and limit activity to ensure a complete recovery.

Do not forget that a concussion, especially a serious one, will not pass without a trace, and for a certain period of time various symptoms will still appear, which, however, can be easily removed with medication

What are the main causes and signs of concussion in children? What to do and where to go if you suspect a traumatic brain injury? In this article, young parents will be able to find out what to do if you suspect a concussion in a 1 year old child.

Shakebrain in a one-year-old child: causes

Who among us didn’t fall in childhood and get bumps? Probably, such people do not exist, because this is a certain stage of growing up that all children go through. The baby is growing and striving for independence. At this stage of development, great dangers await him.

At the age of 1 year, most children begin to take their first steps and, naturally, such attempts at independence do not always proceed smoothly. The child is interested in the world around him and is overcome by the desire to experience everything new, but often such a thirst for exploration leads to serious consequences. This is due to the fact that a one-year-old toddler is still can't control their movements and navigate well in space. Most often, children fall from their own height, and later - from children's slides, swings, furniture, stairs, etc.

It is also worth noting that a 1-year-old baby does not realize the full scale of his action and its consequences. Lack of sense of self-preservation also plays a big role, so parents should, as they say, “keep an eye” on the baby.

Sometimes adults themselves become the cause of brain injury in their child: sharp tugging of the arms, strong tossing during play, rough handling of their little one can lead to a traumatic brain injury of varying severity. You can learn about the main causes and measures to prevent childhood injuries here:

Signs of a concussion in a 1 year old child

How does a concussion manifest in a 1-year-old child? In cases where an accident does happen - the child falls and injures his head, parents should carefully examine him. If a lump appears on the surface of the forehead or back of the head, do not panic. It could be a simple bruise of the soft tissues of the head. It is very important to monitor the baby’s condition and periodically examine damaged areas of the head, because he will not be able to tell you about his health. If hematomas and swelling increase, you should immediately consult a doctor or call an ambulance.

The main symptoms of a concussion in a 1-year-old child:

• pallor;
• nausea;
• increased gag reflex;
• loss of appetite;
• sleep disturbance;
• lethargy and drowsiness;
• moodiness and unreasonable screaming.

REFERENCE! It is worth noting that the symptoms of a concussion in a one-year-old child do not end there; loss of consciousness, however, this is rarely observed in children at this age. More often, this symptom appears with a concussion in older preschoolers.

If the baby feels great after a fall, this does not mean that all the bad things are over. Parents should remember that the symptoms of a child’s concussion may appear after some time: from several hours and even days. Therefore, during this period it is very important to stay close to the child and if you identify at least one of the above signs, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Shakebrain in a 1 year old child: treatment

Once you have been able to identify signs of a concussion in your one-year-old child, you need to call an ambulance or carefully take the baby to the hospital. Before examining the baby by a doctor, adults are not recommended to take any radical actions. The maximum that parents can do is to provide complete peace for their child. If bleeding wounds are found on a child’s head, they should be treated.

A neurologist, traumatologist or other specialist, after a complete examination, makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment. In most cases, small children are left in hospital for a while to make sure that the diagnosis is correct and that the baby’s life and health are not in danger.

If necessary, the doctor may also prescribe drug treatment. These may include diuretics, sedatives, and antihistamines that will help prevent brain swelling. For headaches, painkillers are prescribed, and for severe nausea, appropriate medications are prescribed. Later, medications that help restore and improve the little patient’s brain activity, as well as general vitamins.

REFERENCE! It is worth noting that after discharge from the hospital, parents must limit the baby’s vigorous activity and provide him with peace. At the slightest sign of deterioration in the baby’s health (vomiting, nausea, lethargy, etc.), you should seek medical help again.

Usually, after a month, the toddler’s condition returns to normal and the negative symptoms disappear: he can play, jump and run as before. The most important thing is correct and timely medical care.

A concussion is a serious traumatic brain injury. Pathological and morphological changes can be determined not only at the subcellular, but also at the cellular level. Signs of a concussion in a child may appear mild or pronounced, depending on the degree of injury. Treatment should not be carried out without consultation with an experienced doctor.

In infants, a concussion occurs due to the fact that parents and loved ones do not provide proper care or, by pure chance, do not have time to prevent a fall. Even careless motion sickness can cause the development of disorders.

After one year of age, the child begins to walk and can inflict injuries while walking, which will cause serious complications in the absence of modern treatment. A little later, traumatic brain injuries occur when falling from swings, slides and stairs. There are cases of falls from windows, trees, etc.

Brain injury may occur in the following cases:

• sudden stop or acceleration;
• falling or jumping from a height;
• strong spinning and shaking;
• hit by the ball or collision.

The incidence of brain injuries in children has specific features:

• 2% of cases are newborns;
• 8% of cases - from 4 to 6 years;
• 25% of cases - from 1 to 3 years;
• 45% of cases are from 7 years and older.

Not in all cases, the fact of a fall is known to parents, since caregivers, teachers and relatives may hide the incident. Children themselves can hide what happened, so it is not always possible to immediately determine the presence of a traumatic brain injury.

Diagnostic equipment comes to the rescue, with the help of which you can identify even a damaged area of ​​the brain.

Classification of concussion

There are 3 degrees of concussion in childhood, which have varying severity and are accompanied by certain symptoms.

1. Mild - characterized by a complete absence of symptoms. Signs may be very mild. After 25-30 minutes, brain functions are restored on their own. TBI can be recognized by the presence of mild dizziness and headache. The child remains conscious.
2. Moderate - accompanied by minor damage to bone structures and moderate brain injury. Dizziness and headache may occur. As a rule, nausea appears, which is accompanied by vomiting. Quite often, disorientation occurs when the child cannot remember what happened.
3. Severe - we are talking about serious damage and dysfunction. In this case, hematomas occur, compressing the brain. Fractures of the base of the skull are possible. This condition is very dangerous and can cause the child to fall into a coma.

To determine the extent of brain damage, you must immediately go to the clinic. Only a doctor can make the correct conclusion and timely prescribe effective medication correction. Treatment helps manage symptoms and prevent complications from developing.

Signs of a concussion in a child

With mild to moderate TBI, symptoms are limited. A mild headache and mild dizziness occur. Nausea accompanied by vomiting does not always occur. In severe TBI, temporary fainting or loss of consciousness lasting more than 15 minutes occurs. The child may lose sight, hearing or speech. Amnesia is possible.

In childhood, the main manifestations of brain injury are the following symptoms:

• thinning and weakening of breathing;
• dilated pupils and impaired swallowing functions;
• lack of pupillary response to light, increased heart rate and hypertension;
• increased body temperature and bleeding from the ear.

Signs of a concussion may be present in a complex pattern or may occur gradually or sequentially. The nature of the manifestations of injury depends on the degree of damage.

Symptoms in a baby

Symptoms of a concussion in a young child vary. This is due to the fact that babies have a different anatomical structure. The older children get, the easier it is to understand their condition.

In infants, TBI manifests itself as follows:

• short-term loss of consciousness after injury;
• loss of appetite, insomnia, hyperactivity, or lethargy;
• frequent vomiting or regurgitation after each meal;
• pale skin or the appearance of red spots;
• periodic unnatural muscle twitching.

Symptoms may appear immediately or after a certain period of time - from several hours to several days. This is due to a loss of consciousness that lasts for several seconds, which most often goes unnoticed.

Symptoms in older children

From the first to the third year of life, the symptoms of a concussion in children include frequent vomiting and pain in the navel. The child may become very fussy and refuse to eat. It is possible that there is an increase in body temperature and a change in the color of the skin on the face, which occurs against the background of changes in the blood circulation process.

From 4-5 years of age, it is much easier to identify a TBI, because children can pinpoint where it hurts and talk about how they feel. The child may not remember what happened before the injury and may experience nausea and dizziness. There is a slow reaction to others, weakness in the body and an irregular heartbeat.

When a child has a concussion, symptoms and treatment are closely related. You need to be guided by its condition. After a fall or injury, you must call an ambulance. Complications may not appear immediately, but even after a few days. Parents may already decide that everything is fine, but after a while the child will begin to complain of new symptoms.

Before the team of specialists arrives, the following measures must be taken.

1. If the baby is unconscious, he needs to be laid on a hard surface, turned on his side. The body position was stable.
2. When fainting, it is important to ensure that the tongue does not close the nasopharynx, obstructing the flow of air.
3. If there is a slow pulse or uneven breathing, it is necessary to perform a cardiac massage along with artificial respiration.
4. If there are bleeding wounds, treat them to prevent blood loss and infection.

An important condition is to ensure complete rest until the doctor arrives. It is imperative that you ask your child questions about his well-being and pass on the information to the doctor.

You can apply ice or a towel soaked in cold water to the bruise, which will prevent swelling and hematoma. Please note that the victim needs rest, but not sleep. You need to have a conversation with the child, calming and encouraging him.

Diagnostics

A full examination is carried out in a clinical setting. You need to contact a pediatrician, ophthalmologist, neurologist and, without fail, a traumatologist. Specialists will be able to identify any deviations that have arisen and prescribe timely and effective treatment.

To prescribe effective treatment, a comprehensive diagnosis is necessary.

1. NSG (neurosonography) - provides a visual examination of parts of the brain using ultrasound scanning. This technique is recommended for children until their fontanel closes.
2. EEG (electroencephalography) - a procedure performed to obtain graphic data to determine the electrical activity of cellular structures in the brain area. Small electrodes are attached to the surface of the head to record readings. For infants, the procedure is performed during daytime sleep, which makes it possible to assess the severity of the injury, identify a tumor, and determine damage to the central nervous system.
3. X-ray – makes it possible to evaluate the thickness of the bones and the structure of the skull, fontanel and cranial sutures.
4. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - is prescribed to identify a concussion and the degree of damage to the central nervous system. The diagnostic procedure makes it possible to identify hemorrhage and developmental pathologies.

Treatment

Treatment tactics will depend on the results obtained after a comprehensive examination. In the hospital, parents will be offered inpatient observation for 2-3 days, which will eliminate the likelihood of complications developing after a bruise. It is important to limit your child’s physical activity, even if he is feeling great. You should avoid watching and playing computer games.

If necessary, the doctor prescribes drug therapy.

1. Diuretics (Furosemide, Diacarb) - to eliminate or eliminate the likelihood of cerebral edema.
2. Medicines based on potassium (Panangin, Asparkam) - are prescribed when using diuretics in order to normalize the level of magnesium and potassium in the body, regulate metabolic processes and dilate the coronary arteries.
3. Drugs to improve blood circulation (Piracetam, Cavinton) - nootropics promote active nutrition of brain cells. Restoring its functions.
4. Sedatives (Phenazepam, Novo-Passit) - to improve general well-being.
5. Allergy medications (Fenkarol, Suprastin) have a positive effect on the permeability of vascular structures.
6. Painkillers (Baralgin, Analgin) - are intended to reduce discomfort, facilitate brain functioning, increase muscle tone and improve the processes responsible for the conduction of nerve impulses.
7. Anti-nausea medications (Cerucal) - help cope with nausea and prevent vomiting.

The dosage is calculated by the attending physician individually, taking into account the patient’s age, body weight and the degree of disturbances that have occurred in the body. The presence/absence of concomitant diseases is of great importance.

After an injury, serious complications develop only if treatment is not carried out on time or is absent altogether.

1. Postconcussion syndrome. Manifests itself in the form of headache, dizziness, memory and concentration problems.
2. Asthenic syndrome. Disorders that are characterized by weakness, decreased mood, short temper and nervousness. It manifests itself as daytime sleepiness, decreased performance and development of memory problems, and decreased temperature of the extremities.
3. Vegetative-vascular dystonia. Polyetiological syndrome indicating dysfunction of the cardiovascular system and heart. May provoke the development of phobias and panic disorders.
4. Post-traumatic epilepsy. Characterized by the presence of epileptic seizures of a convulsive nature. In 80% of cases it occurs within 2 years after CHMS. There are concomitant intellectual-mnestic and emotional disorders.

Measures to prevent concussion in children include constant and vigilant monitoring by parents and loved ones. The child should be explained in advance the rules of behavior on the road and compliance with safety precautions during active games in the yard.

When engaging in hazardous sports, it is mandatory to wear a protective helmet.

Conclusion

If a child has a concussion, under no circumstances should you self-diagnose or self-medicate. Only an experienced doctor can make a correct diagnosis after conducting a number of instrumental diagnostics. If you do not follow the specialist’s recommendations, there is a high risk of developing serious complications.