Handle children head injury seriously<\/p>\n
By Donya Betancourt<\/p>\n
SANUR, Bali (JP): Nothing is more frightening to parents than
\nan injury to their child's head. Head injuries can range from a
\nminor knock on the noggin to a serious skull fracture.<\/p>\n
Whether the injury occurs from falling off a bicycle, falls
\nfrom windows or minor falls around the house (in the case of
\ntoddlers), no injury to an infant's head should be taken lightly.
\nHead injuries can cover a broad range of severity from bleeding
\nor tearing of tissue to brain swelling, when the brain moves
\ninside the skull at the time of impact.<\/p>\n
Symptoms are typically headache and nausea and light dizziness
\nafter the injury. Other symptoms can be ringing in the ears,
\nblocked ear (if there is bleeding in the eardrum), or feelings of
\nanxiety, irritability or tiredness. These symptoms usually go
\naway in a few weeks, but if the headache gets worse after the
\npassage of time, it should be viewed with concern and become a
\nreason for a doctor's re-examination.<\/p>\n
Most people recover from head injuries and have no long-term
\neffects. There are a few terms concerning head injuries that will
\nbe helpful to you in understanding and communicating with your
\nhealth professional should the need arise.<\/p>\n
Concussion is a jarring injury to the brain. A person who has
\nconcussion passes out for a short while and may feel dizzy, lose
\nvision or balance for a while after injury, including vomiting,
\nor experiencing drowsiness.<\/p>\n
Contusion is a trauma or bruise of the brain. It causes
\nbleeding in the brain and brain swelling.<\/p>\n
A skull fracture is when a skull cracks. It can range from a
\nminor crack to shifting of bone to the brain and cause bleeding
\nor other injury.<\/p>\n
Hematoma is bleeding in the brain where the blood collects and
\nclots. It may happen after the injury or last as long as several
\nweeks.<\/p>\n
If a head injury occurs what you should do is look for signs
\nof concussion. If the child is running about and unaware of the
\nblow or fall 10 minutes later, there is nothing to worry about.
\nYou must wait at least an hour after an injury before feeding
\nyour baby or child.<\/p>\n
It is important that you monitor progress for at least 48
\nhours after injury. Your doctor will ask how the injury occurred
\nand about the symptoms of the child after the injury. A child who
\nhas been injured may need to stay in the hospital for
\nobservation; some special investigation such as skull film or CT
\nscan may be needed to find out more about the damage.<\/p>\n
If you notice any signs of fits or seizure or conscious change
\nsuch as confusion or irritability, severe headache or weakness in
\narms or legs, trouble in walking or speaking, nausea or vomiting
\nthat doesn't go away, get help immediately.<\/p>\n
The other problems of injuries from falls are bleeding and
\nshock.<\/p>\n
Most small cuts do not present any danger. Larger wounds,
\nparticularly those where an artery has been damaged, can cause
\nsevere bleeding and shock.<\/p>\n
How to deal with bleeding? Rinse the wound with water to clean
\nout dirt, and use a clean cloth or gauze to apply pressure to the
\nwound for five minutes. Do not stop to check the wound. If blood
\nsoaks through the gauze, apply another one on top. The following
\nsigns tell you that you should see a doctor right away.<\/p>\n
What are the symptoms of mild shock? The child will look pale
\nand clammy, will be sweating and\/or shivering, vomiting and have
\nan increased heart rate. What you should do is lie the child down
\nand loosen the clothes, get the head lower than the feet, turn
\nthe head to one side (in the case of vomiting) and do not give
\nanything to drink. Watch the child carefully; if after an hour
\nthe child has not recovered, call a doctor.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of severe shock are pale, grayish-blue skin, sweating
\nand cold clammy skin, weak and rapid pulse and the child may
\ncollapse or go unconscious. If you see any of these symptoms, get
\nmedical help quickly, lie the child down with the feet higher
\nthan the legs, loosen tight clothes and turn the head to one side
\nto prevent aspiration. Treat any bleeding if you see it and keep
\nthe child warm.<\/p>\n
Head injuries will inevitably occur as it is part and parcel
\nof growing up; most times they result in nothing more than a lump
\non the head but there are times when they are serious, so be
\naware of the possibilities of shock and always monitor your child
\nafter a fall.<\/p>\n
The writer is a pediatrician based in Sanur, Bali. Questions?
\nContact her at drdonya@hotmail.com or
\nfeatures@thejakartapost.com.<\/p>",
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