Toddler Head Injuries

The most common head injuries to toddlers cause concussions and bleeding. The symptoms can aid parents and guardians in determining the proper course of action in the event of a head injury. And steps can be taken to prevent these injuries in the first place.

Causes

• Common causes of toddler head injuries include a forceful blow to the head, such as from being hit by a ball or running into a wall, or a fall from bed or playground equipment or while running. Head injuries can also result from severe shaking.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of head trauma include headache, dizziness, confusion, loss of balance, nausea, vomiting, irritability, prolonged crying, abnormal eye movement such as crossed eyes or rolling eyes, loss of consciousness, or clear or bloody fluid coming from the child's nose, mouth or ears. Other symptoms include changes in the child's skin color (such as turning blue), breathing or sleep behavior, and twitching of the body.

First Aid

• Applying a pack of ice to the affected area for about 20 minutes is the best way to reduce that swelling that commonly accompanies an injury to the head. With an open wound, apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. A child's dose of Tylenol can be given to reduce headache. The child should be observed for serious symptoms.

When to Get Help

• A doctor should be contacted immediately if the toddler starts breathing irregularly, has convulsions or loses consciousness. Seek help if the child blacks out, even for a few seconds, as this can mean that the child has a blood clot in the brain. Additionally, see a doctor if the child vomits three or more times; lacks focus; loses balance and repeatedly falls over while walking or becomes increasingly disoriented; continues to cry for more than an hour; or suffers a persistent severe headache. Other serious symptoms include the eyes crossing or rolling, or one pupil larger than the other; the child running into things; or the child experiencing double or blurred vision.

Prevention

• Preventing head injuries starts with watching your child closely, especially during physical activities. Head injuries in toddlers can be prevented by making sure that children don't run on wet surfaces, especially hard, slick surfaces. Toddlers should play in a playground with sand, rubber padding or wood chips, which help cushion falls. Homes can be child-proofed by adding extra padding to furniture, such as on the sharp edges of tables.