HEAD INJURY: IS CT SCAN a MUST?

Excerpt from the book THE ART AND SCIENCE OF PARENTING available on www.lulu.com

Young children are prone to topple from bed, tumble down the stairs and trip while running. Mother Nature knew this is bound to happen, so it left a part of skull at the top of the head open. This soft spot known as anterior fontanelle remains open till the age of one year, and helps neutralize any sudden pressure changes that occur due to frequent falls. Thus, small children are less likely to develop serious injuries (concussion/compression) of brain due to head trauma.

In our experience most head injuries (other than major accidents) don't result in serious or permanent complications. It is natural for parents to become tense whenever a child falls and bangs his head. Head being the heaviest part of the body hits the ground first according to the law of gravity.

The child should be observed closely after a head injury. If there is slight headache and one or two vomits, but otherwise he is active, playful and takes his normal diet, there is generally no need to worry. The chances are that he has suffered a minor concussion, which does not require any treatment. But if he keeps complaining of a headache, vomits repeatedly and is drowsy you must take him to the doctor. If these symptoms become worse after twelve to twenty-four hours, the possibility of compression of the brain due to intracranial bleeding (bleeding inside the head) must be considered.

Danger Signs

· Persistent, forceful (projectile) vomiting.

· Drowsiness or loss of consciousness

· Bleeding from ear or nose

· Convulsions

· An unsteady gait

· Gaze disturbances - Squint. Rarely diplopia (double vision).

· Pupils may be dilated, constricted or unequal.

· Irregular or difficult respiration

· Injury to the spine resulting in inability to move any limb.

What to do?