First aid: head injury

This is a potentially serious injury. A blow to the head can cause injury to the skull or brain, and there may be delayed reaction to the injury hours or even days later. It's important, therefore, that you watch your child after any head injury.

1. Help your child to sit or lie down, and place a cold pack against the injury.
2. If there is an wound, cover it with a dressing and apply direct pressure to stop the bleeding.
3. Watch your child and monitor especially for any changes in his level of consciousness. If he was slightly dazed but recovers quickly he may be concussed (his brain was “shaken” in his skull). If he appears fine initially but deteriorates later, he may have a serious condition called compression, caused by bleeding within the skull, or a fractured bone fragment pressing on the brain.
4. Seek medical advice for all head injuries.

Warning

• Never shake your child to check his level of consciousness.
• If your child is unconscious assess his condition. If he is breathing place him in the recovery position; if he's stopped breathing begin resuscitation.

Dr Miriam Stoppard

New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard

Posted 30.06.2010

Get more on this subject…