It is almost impossible to find a child who does not fall. As soon as the baby starts trying to walk, his body, though not completely, but still covered with bruises, abrasions, scratches ... Nature took care of the child's body and provided maximum protection of the head from injuries. Most falls do not cause significant harm to the health of the fidget. But there are injuries that are dangerous to the baby’s life and have serious consequences.
Why do children most often hit their heads
Pediatricians say that it is the head that leads in the number of injuries received. Parents react more calmly when the baby injures his arm or leg. But most of the bruises go to the head.
Such statistics have their own explanations. So, in children under 5 years of age, the head is relatively heavy and has large sizes compared to other parts of the body. This physiological feature of young children affects the coordination of their movements. All that is needed is a slight push, so that the baby loses his balance and falls head down.
Physiological features of the children's brain
The head of the child has a slightly different structure than that of an adult. The bones of the baby’s skull are soft and flexible. This means that in a collision with a hard surface it is difficult to break through the skull. During the impact, the elastic bones move and return to their original position.
Another important feature of the children's brain is its immaturity and high content of cerebrospinal fluid. The children's head is much easier to bear blows.
Doctors rarely diagnose a head injury or concussion when a child falls and hits his head. Komarovsky talks a lot about injuries and teaches parents to recognize dangerous symptoms. A well-known children's doctor gives valuable recommendations, tells how to properly provide first aid for various head injuries.
Child examination
If the child fell and hit his head, Komarovsky advises not to panic and watch the baby for the next 24 hours. Parents should provide the child with peace and not allow active games. If in the first hours after the fall the peanut does not complain about anything and feels good, there is no reason to worry and there is no need to see a doctor.
The reaction of the baby to the received blow testifies to a lot. With complex head injuries that are accompanied by bleeding or concussion, the child may suddenly become ill, or he may not behave as usual. If after the fall the baby calmly stands up and smiles, damage to the head and internal organs is unlikely.
In any case, if the child fell and hit his head, Komarovsky recommends determining the presence of dangerous symptoms. They should be known to all parents in order to see a doctor on time and prevent the development of complications and pathologies.
Anxiety symptoms
Doctors identify a number of serious signs that can occur if the child falls and hits his head. Komarovsky compiled a list of such symptoms:
- Impaired consciousness of any intensity and duration.
- Inappropriate behavior.
- Speech impairment.
- Increased drowsiness.
- Severe headaches that manifested in the first hours after the fall and persist for a long period of time.
- Cramps.
- Repeated attacks of vomiting.
- Imbalance.
- Dizziness.
- Different sizes of pupils.
- Weakness of arms and legs, inability to move them.
- Dark circles under the eyes.
- Bleeding or secretion of fluid with streaks of blood from the ears or nose.
- Violations of the senses.
These symptoms can occur in children of different ages. The presence of at least one indicates the need for immediate medical attention.
Fall off the couch
Young parents often underestimate the capabilities of the baby. They allow themselves to leave the baby on the couch unattended. Already from 4 months the baby is actively moving and trying to roll over. At the same time, the baby gradually begins to crawl. At this age, a baby needs an eye and an eye if the parents want to protect the child from injuries and bruises.
Probably, in every family there was a case that, at the age of, say, 6 months, a child fell off and hit his head. Komarovsky believes that such an event is almost inevitable. All children under 1 year old often fall out of bed. Toddlers still can not assess the danger of their actions and in a split second roll down to the floor. Even a very attentive mother may not look behind the swirling baby, turning away for a bottle.
In children of the first year of life, the brain and central nervous system actively develop, and the bones of the skull are still not strong enough and loosely connected. This increases the risk of injury during a fall resulting in a traumatic brain injury. Therefore, it is important not to allow the child to fall and hit his head at 6 months . Komarovsky warns of sad consequences. The baby can get a concussion and even an open head injury.
What to do if the baby falls off the couch
If the child fell off the couch and hit his head, Komarovsky recommends immediately taking the baby in his arms to calm him down. According to the doctor, in most cases there is no reason for concern. The height of the sofas is about 50 cm or even less. Falling from this height cannot significantly damage the brain. Usually a child can only get scared and therefore cry.
Once the baby has calmed down, it should be examined for abrasions, bumps and wounds on the head. It is important to observe his reactions and behavior.
If the child fell off the couch and hit his head, Komarovsky recommends, of course, if there are suspicious signs, consult a doctor immediately. What are these signs?
Symptoms of serious injury to infants
The following symptoms indicate that the baby received a dangerous injury:
- Loss of consciousness for a short and long time immediately after a fall or after some time.
- The formation of edema at the site of the impact, which is intensively increasing.
- The presence of bloody discharge from the nose and ears.
- Abnormal behavior of the baby, which can signal headaches.
- Vomiting
- Constant crying.
- Violations of coordination of movements.
The famous doctor who described the manifestations in detail when the child fell and hit his head is Komarovsky. The dangerous consequences of such a stroke with untimely medical intervention threaten the health of the baby.
Tactics for the treatment of TBI in infants
At the slightest suspicion of a head injury, the baby should be hospitalized in a hospital for examination by neurosurgeons and neuropathologists. To confirm the diagnosis, the following tests and studies are carried out:
- Ultrasound of the brain.
- Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
- Electroencephalogram.
When confirming the diagnosis, the baby is prescribed appropriate medications, physiotherapy and a special regimen. Properly designed therapy helps to cure trauma with minimal consequences.
First aid before doctors arrive
The most common question asked by all young parents is: "What should I do? The child fell and hit his head." Komarovsky recommends examining the baby and performing the following steps:
- If there is a slight bruise, it is enough to attach ice or a cold object to the site of the edema. This will reduce swelling.
- Regardless of the force of the blow, the baby must be at rest. If the injury is severe, it is important not to let the baby sleep until the ambulance arrives. Compliance with this recommendation will also allow you to not miss other symptoms.
- Put the child on the bed in such a position that the spine and head are at the same level.
- In the presence of vomiting, the baby should be laid on its side so that the discharge easily recedes and does not interfere with the victim's normal breathing.
These are the main recommendations that will help you to navigate the situation and tell you what to do if the child fell and hit his head. Komarovsky as a pediatrician prohibits taking other actions. During the examination, the doctor will be able to establish the severity of the stroke and conclude that hospitalization is necessary.
Possible consequences
The most common and most mild injury is soft tissue injury. In this case, the brain is not damaged. After a hit, a bump or abrasion may form on the scalp.
With traumatic brain injury, the consequences can be different. In mild cases, the child recovers completely. If the injury is severe, important brain functions may be impaired.
With severe brain damage, the prognosis of the development of disorders is unpredictable. The completeness of recovery depends on the treatment tactics, medications used, compliance with the doctor’s recommendations, the severity of the injury, the gender and age of the baby, and his health condition.
One of the most famous pediatricians, who urges parents to respond quickly when a child falls and hits his head, is Komarovsky. The consequences of such injuries are life-threatening. Timely provision of medical care helps prevent complications.
How to protect your child from falling
If at 3 months the baby fell and hit his head, Komarovsky in this case blames the parents. Many injuries could have been avoided if the baby was completely safe. Most often, babies fall from changing tables. Therefore, it is better to swaddle the baby and carry out hygiene procedures on the couch or use a table with high sides. At the same time, one of the adults must be near the child.
In addition, near the surface on which the baby will lie, you can lay a carpet. He soften a possible fall. Some parents even lay pillows or blankets on the floor.
Other simple recommendations:
- Do not leave the baby alone on the changing table or on the sofa. If you need to leave the room for a few seconds, it is better to put the child in his crib or stroller.
- Being next to the baby, you should hold it with your hand. Often babies fall to the floor in the presence of mom.
- Try not to leave the baby alone in the room for a long time. A six-month-old child may already be trying to sit down and try to get out of the crib.
Increased attention from parents is required during walks. A small and curious fidget can easily fall out of the cradle. The desire of the baby to sit is a signal that it is time to transplant him into a stroller. Seat belts allow you to securely fasten the active child and thus protect him from falling to the ground.
To protect the baby from head injuries when moving around the apartment can use special modern devices - lining on sharp corners, rubberized mats. It is very important that homemade crumb shoes have a non-slip sole. For children up to a year, socks with “brakes” are produced, which reduce slipping.
If the baby fell off the swing
Another dangerous place where young children are often injured is the playground. A lot of children are gathering on the hill, which can not only fall, but also push each other. Even in kindergarten, it happens that a child fell off a swing and hit his head. Komarovsky considers playgrounds a place of increased danger, requiring constant monitoring of children.
To prevent serious injuries, children's doctors advise parents of preschool children to always be with the child on the playground and support the baby with his hands when he climbs on high structures. When the child has already learned to ride on his own, one of the adults should still observe him and be at a distance of several meters. So it will be possible to quickly respond to the desire of the baby to make a dangerous movement, the results of which can be disastrous.
Head injuries from falls on playgrounds are more dangerous. All swings and slides are made of metal, which has an increased risk of injury. And if you take into account the concrete surface of the site, you should not be surprised at the fact that the risk of severely injuring your head is quite high.