Infant Head Trauma

Infant head trauma can be very serious; learn the common causes of this injury and how to best protect your baby.

For children ages 0 to 19, head trauma occurs in approximately 200 per 100,000 population per year. According to the National Center for Health Statistics the mortality rate for head trauma is 29% in children. Head trauma can basically be divided into two areas: external and internal. External usually involves only the scalp, but internal infant head traumas can involve the skull and the brain.

Injuries to the scalp may occur more frequently as your infant becomes a toddler. Learning to crawl, walk, and jump takes practice, and you can expect your little one to suffer a few bumps and bruises along the way. Even infants, who appear helpless and virtually immobile, have a way of wiggling off raised surfaces. This is why it is so important to never leave your child unattended on a raised surface even if he or she is strapped in!

External injuries may be characterized by a minor cut, and even though it may bleed profusely, keep in mind that there are lots of rich blood vessels directly beneath the skin. You can usually control the bleeding by applying pressure for several moments. If you can't get the bleeding to stop, however, proceed to the emergency room immediately!

Bumps or "goose eggs" are also common characteristics of scalp injuries. These bumps are actually caused by blood vessels leaking blood under the skin. While that might sound awful, it usually isn't that serious.

If your child suffers a fall, however, watch her closely for the following signs, and if you see any of the following contact your pediatrician immediately.

• Your child loses consciousness, even for a moment.
• Your child complains of head or neck pain.
• Your child won't stop crying.
• Your child doesn't appear to be moving normally.

If your child is an infant and suffers a fall, contact your pediatrician regardless of whether any of the above signs are evident.

Treatment of an External Head Injury: For minor bumps, apply ice wrapped in a soft cloth or use an ice pack for 20 minutes, and watch your child for the next 24 hours for any abnormal behavior. You should also watch your child's color and breathing while she is awake and asleep for anything out of the ordinary.

Internal head injuries result when the brain is actually knocked into the side of the skull. Blood vessels can tear, the skull can become fractured, and the brain may be injured. All of these problems hold potentially serious consequences. With any head trauma in an infant, you need to contact your pediatrician. You shouldn't try to diagnose the problem yourself! For older children, watch for the following signs, and call an ambulance if you notice any of these.

• unconsciousness
• serious cut, gash, or wound
• apparent fracture
• abnormal breathing
• uneven pupils or problems with vision
• problems with speech
• bleeding from the mouth, nose, or ears
• neck pain, dizziness, or paralysis
• vomiting,
• inability to control bladder or bowels
• seizures

Pay attention to the following points!

• Do not try to move an unconscious child!
• If you are CPR certified follow any applicable procedures.
• If you suspect a head fracture, do not apply direct pressure to an open wound.

While of course you can't wrap your child in a protective bubble wrap (although sometimes we'd like to do this!), you can take steps to keep your infant or older child as safe as possible.

• Never leave a baby unattended on a raised surface. Even if she is strapped to a changing table, she can wiggle and fall.
• Don't place your infant in a car seat or infant seat on a raised surface. Even if she is strapped in, repetitive movement could cause the entire seat to fall with baby in it!
• For children who are passengers on or are riding bikes or participating in any other sport that requires head gear, make them wear a helmet.
• Buckle your children into a car seat every time you get into the car. For older children, instill in them the habit of wearing a seat belt.

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