According to doctors, concussion is the most common diagnosis in both pediatric and adult traumatology, requiring mandatory hospitalization. Trauma can occur in mild, moderate and severe form. In this case, significant fractures of the skull and various hematomas can be observed.
Symptoms of concussion in a child at different ages can be completely different. In young children up to a year, a head injury is mostly asymptomatic. In some cases, there are no irreversible changes in the brain, and complications are quite rare - the prognosis for treatment is favorable.
The main symptoms of concussion
A child of the first year of life may not have expressed manifestations after injury. And only after an hour, there is a pallor of the integument, causeless crying, nausea, the presence of vomiting, lack of appetite, sleep disturbance or, conversely, drowsiness. Older children experience severe headaches, loss of consciousness, and a slowdown (increase) in heart rate.
At the same time, vomiting, tearfulness, sweating and pressure drops appear. In rare situations, the symptoms of concussion in a child are accompanied by post-traumatic blindness, which persists for several hours. The reason for this phenomenon is not fully understood. Depending on the age of the children, the clinical picture has an individual specificity.
In particular, a good condition is quickly replaced by a deterioration in well-being. It is better to immediately call an ambulance - the vigilance of parents should be above all. Before the doctor arrives, the child needs rest. If consciousness is lost, then try not to move the baby, and be sure to put a roller under your head so that it is not thrown back. If there is no breathing, carefully perform artificial respiration.
Diagnosis of concussion
At home, it is impossible to determine the severity of a traumatic brain injury. Upon arrival at the hospital, specialists will examine the child: a traumatologist, a neurosurgeon, and a neuropathologist. The following diagnostic methods will also be performed: echo encephalography, neurosonography, X-ray of the skull, tomography. Depending on what symptoms of concussion are present in the child, an additional examination may be required (magnetic resonance imaging, lumbar puncture or electroencephalography). All procedures are performed immediately to identify the severity of the injury.
After this, a "brain treatment" is prescribed. Therapy lasts an average of at least two weeks. The child needs bed rest and calm. There should be no outdoor games, negative emotions. Comprehensive treatment consists in taking sedatives, painkillers and diuretic drugs. With severe vomiting, antiemetic drugs are recommended.
To stabilize the general condition will require vitamins that improve blood circulation to the brain. To normalize the psycho-emotional state, the child needs peace and positive impressions. In especially severe cases, the course of treatment is quite long, and a regular examination by a neurologist is necessary.