Medical Home Portal - Prevention of TBI (in Young Children) for Parents

Even babies can have traumatic brain injuries. These can range from a concussion, which is a mild brain injury, to a severe injury. A brain injury may at first seem mild, but the family should watch for signs and symptoms that it is evolving into something more severe.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury is any injury to the head that potentially affects the function of the brain. Traumatic brain injuries are usually the result of a blow to the head, a fall, or shaking. Brain injury can also be secondary to a blow to any part of the body that causes the brain in the head to move back and forth.

If your child has had a blow to the head, follow the ABCs:

A- Assess the situation – even if the blow to the head or a fall seems harmless at the time, continue to assess your child and call your healthcare provider or emergency medical services (depending on severity) if symptoms appear. The first 24 hours after a brain injury are usually the most critical.

B- Be alert for signs and symptoms - A child with a concussion may lose consciousness, be drowsy, confused or irritable, or have problems with his vision, memory, or balance. This sounds scary, but in most cases the effects are minor and temporary and your child will recover completely. Signs and symptoms that might signal a more serious brain injury include:

loss of consciousness
drainage, clear or bloody, from his nose, mouth, or ears
will not stop crying
will not nurse or eat
starts breathing irregularly
has seizures or fixed stares
has pupils that are different sizes
vomits repeatedly
has sharply increased confusion, agitation, restlessness
has severe headaches that get worse
has weakness or numbness in arms or legs
slurs their speech

C- Contact your physician or emergency medical services if these symptoms are present.

How to Reduce the Chance of a Brain Injury

Never leave your child alone in a highchair or let him/her climb on high furniture
Block openings on railings that have openings wider than 4 inches with safety netting
Use a safety belt in shopping carts
Keep your child in rear facing car seat as long as possible; move to a front-facing car seat no earlier than 12 months of age and weighing 20 pounds
Install car seats properly
When driving, lock the doors and windows
Children should wear a helmet while riding tricycles, playing on playgrounds etc.

Falls from Windows

Of particular concern are fall from windows for young children. During a 19-year period, an estimated 98,145 children were treated in U.S. emergency departments for injuries sustained in falls from windows. These kinds of falls occur more frequently during spring and summer months. The rate of injury is higher for children younger than 5 years of age, and those children were more likely to sustain serious injuries. To reduce and prevent windows falls:

Use window guards and safety netting on window, decks, and landings
Move furniture that children could climb on away from windows
Install window locks so windows don’t open far enough for a child to climb or fall out

Resources

Information & Support

For Professionals

CDC: Traumatic Brain Injury
Educational initiatives and campaigns from the CDC for clinicians, parents, educators, coaches, and individuals including children with TBI. Free, downloadable materials and fact sheets.

Helpful Articles

Harris VA, Rochette LM, Smith GA.
Pediatric Injuries Attributable to Falls From Windows in the United States in 1990-2008.
Pediatrics. 2011;128(3):455 -462. PubMed abstract / Full Text
During a 19-year period, an estimated 98,145 children were treated in U.S. emergency departments for injuries sustained in falls from windows.

Authors

Author:

Sue Olsen MEd, 8/2011