Head Injuries

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Although your child has been thoroughly examined for evidence of head Injury, there are certain signs of trouble which may appear in the next 48 hours. It has been considered safe to allow you're child to return home by the examining physician. However, please observe your child carefully during the next 48 hours, and telephone us should any of the following signs develop. Before leaving, be sure that you have all the below signs explained to you by the examining physician and that all of your questions have been answered.

Signs of Trouble

1. EXCESSIVE DROWSINESS: Your child may well be exhausted by the ordeal surrounding the injury, but should be easily aroused by methods that you would ordinarily employ to awaken him from a deep sleep. If you cannot do this, please notify us immediately.
2. PERSISTENT VOMITING: Children will, in most cases, vomit one or more times following a severe head injury. Should the vomiting recur more than once or twice, or should it begin again hours after it has ceased, notify us immediately.
3. If one pupil appears larger than the other, notify our office.
4. If the child does not use either arm or leg as well as previously, or is unsteady in walking, notify our office.
5. Should speech become slurred or the child be apparently unable to talk, notify our office.
6. If severe headaches occur, particularly if it increases in severity and is not relieved with Tylenol, notify our office.
7. Should the child complain of "seeing double" or should you detect any failure of the eyes to move together appropriately, notify our office.
8. Should a convulsion occur, place the child on one side and where he cannot fall, be sure there is ample room for him to breathe, placing a firm object between the molar teeth to keep the mouth open. Stay with the child until the convulsion begins to subside, and notify the hospital/office immediately.

On the night following the head injury, or during any nap it is advisable to awaken your child about every 3 hours, and look for any of the above signs of trouble.

More Home Care instructions

Your child has had an injury to his or her head. He or she has been examined by a doctor and shows no evidence of serious injury at this time. Because significant head injuries can occasionally lead to symptoms many hours after the initial trauma, it is important to watch your child for the next 24-48 hours, including waking them every 2-3 hours through the night, for the following signs: Weakness in an arm or leg Seizures Change in vision (double or blurred vision, difficulty seeing) Vomiting that is continuous or that persists 6 hours after the injury Severe or worsening headache Coma, or is difficult to arouse Unequal pupils (shine a light in the child's eyes to check the pupils) Disorientation Stiff neck Unusual behavior Fluid draining from ears or nose CONTACT OUR OFFICE OR RETURN IMMEDIATELY IF YOUR CHILD DEVELOPS ANY OF THE ABOVE SIGNS!   TO MAKE YOUR CHILD MORE COMFORTABLE AFTER A HEAD INJURY: Allow him/her to rest quietly in a quiet, darkened room Tylenol for headache according to your physician's directions Clear liquids to drink if nauseated Apply ice to the bruised area several times over the next 12 hours

New Internet Links

Immunization Action Coalition National Immunization Program - CDC Immunization Schedule. - Am. Academy of Pediatrics The Institute for Vaccine Safety Tick Image Gallery - Iowa State Univ.