Preventing childhood head injuries

While we can’t bubble-wrap our children, we can take easy precautions to prevent brain injuries.

What are the different kinds of head injuries?

• Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries. It occurs when a blow to the head or similar injury causes the head to move violently back and forth. This produces chemical changes in the brain and, in certain cases, causes brain cell destruction.
• A contusion (bruise) occurs when a blow to the head injures the skin and soft tissue beneath the skin. Small blood vessels leak blood, leaving red or purple scars on the skin. Contusions on the scalp or forehead are common. A brain contusion can result from more serious head trauma.
• A skull fracture is a break in the bone of the skull. Skull fractures can occur in many areas of the skull.

What are the symptoms and signs of a head injury?

A child who has had a head injury may:

• Have a headache: About half of all children who have a head injury experience headaches.
• Pass out (lose consciousness)
• Vomit: This is common in youngsters following a head injury.

How are head injuries identified?

Doctors diagnose head injuries by asking questions about how the injury occurred and thoroughly examining your child’s head and neck. They’ll also assess how well the nerves are operating.

Most youngsters with modest brain injuries do not require medical testing. However, if the injury is severe, doctors will usually perform a CAT scan of the head.

The following are indicators that the injury may be serious:

• Loss of consciousness for more than a few minutes
• Continuing vomiting
• Disorientation
• Seizures
• A worsening headache

What should I do if my child sustained a head injury?

1. If your child has suffered a mild to severe head injury, contact your doctor immediately.
2. If the head injury is minor, with no apparent head injury symptoms, apply at-home care.
3. Every three to four hours, apply an ice pack or an immediate cold pack to the wounded region for 20 minutes. Always wrap ice in a washcloth or sock while using it. Ice applied directly to bare flesh might cause injury.
4. For the next 24 hours, keep a close eye on your child. If the injury occurs near bedtime or naptime and your child falls asleep soon after, check-in with them a few times as they sleep.
5. If your child’s skin colour and breathing are normal and you don’t suspect a problem, let them sleep until the doctor advises otherwise. Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to keep a child awake after a head injury.

Is it possible to avoid head injuries?

It is impossible to safeguard children from all injuries. However, you can assist prevent head injuries by implementing the following safety steps:

Car safety

• Your child should always wear a seatbelt when riding in a car or other motor vehicle.
• Utilise an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat for their age, weight, and height. A poorly fitting seat might be dangerous. A car seat can be inspected at an inspection station to ensure it is correctly fitted.
• At 18 kilograms, children can transition from car seats to booster seats. Keep your child in a booster seat until they are between eight and 12 years old and at least 145 cm tall.

Wearing a helmet

Helmets protect against head injuries. Your child must wear a properly fitted helmet for the following sports and activities:

• Participating in contact sports, including rugby, hockey, and football
• Skateboarding, scooting, or ice-skating
• During baseball and cricket
• While riding a horse
• While participating in motocross or dirt-bike riding
• While riding a bicycle

Local sporting goods stores, sports facilities, and bike shops can help ensure that the helmet fits properly.

Good to know: Even with a helmet, nearly all major medical groups advise against allowing children to engage in boxing training exercises.

Maintaining your child’s safety at home

• Install window protection on all operable windows.
• Install a safety gate at the top and bottom of the stairs until your child can ascend and descend securely. Keep the stairway free of junk.
• Do not allow your children to play on or jump on stairs or furniture.
• Do not leave a small infant unattended on a bed, sofa, or another elevated surface.
• Ensure that your child is secured in a highchair using the safety harness while eating.
• Lock up all firearms and ammunition in a cabinet.

Outdoor safety

• Ensure that playground surfaces are secure. They should be constructed from shock-absorbing material, such as rubber mulch.
• Always cover your pool or other bodies of water (such as fishpond) with a child protection safety net.

Bed safety

Some easy precautions can ensure your child’s safety in bed:

• Keep your baby or toddler’s cot side rails raised.
• Your child should not jump on beds.
• If possible, avoid purchasing bunk beds. If you must have a bunk bed, read internet evaluations before purchasing. Ensure that the frame is sturdy. Also, ensure that the upper bunk has a side rail. The ladder should be robust and adhere tightly to the frame.