Head injury is one of the most common causes of loss of consciousness in children. If your child experiences loss of consciousness (is “knocked out”) following a head injury, you should always take it seriously and talk with a health care professional.
Most of the time, head injuries are minor, and children only lose consciousness for a few seconds. Even so, children should be examined by a health care professional. They should also be watched for changes that point to a more severe head injury.
When should I call 911?
Call 911 if your child loses consciousness after a head injury such as a bump, hit or jolt to the head, and
- you are concerned for your child’s immediate safety, or
- your child is experiencing ANY of the following symptoms:
- Unable to be woken up
- Difficulty breathing or unusual breathing
- Convulsions
When should I take my child to the emergency department?
If your child has ANY of the following symptoms, you should have your child examined immediately:
- The period of unconsciousness was longer than 5 seconds
- Vomiting two or more times, or hours after the injury
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Irritability or fussiness
- Confusion
- Bruising or bleeding around the scalp or eyes
- Clear fluid coming out of the nose
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty speaking
Is it ok to let my child sleep after a head injury?
It is important to discuss the head injury with a healthcare professional. If the health care professional has evaluated your child and feels they are unlikely to have a more severe head injury, they may say it is ok to let your child to sleep.
Remember:
Don’t hesitate to talk with your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns about their health or safety.
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