Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Children's Head Injuries Hard to Spot
A recent article in US News says that traumatic brain injury causes 2,685 deaths among children up to age 15. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention thinks that there are even more cases than that, but they aren’t reported by kids, parents, and coaches because they’re unaware of the symptoms. In addition, 37,000 kids were hospitalized and there are 435,000 emergency room visits each year from head injuries.
A study in January’s Pediatrics found that 81 percent of high school football players in Minnesota who had a concussion still played that day. That can be very dangerous, because a second head impact after a previous blow can cause long-term cognitive problems and even potentially fatal sudden brain swelling.
The CDC urges parents to call the doctor if a child has any of these symptoms after a head injury:
- Tiredness or listlessness;
- Irritability or crankiness (will not stop crying or cannot be consoled);
- Changes in eating (will not eat or nurse);
- Changes in sleep patterns;
- Changes in the way the child plays;
- Changes in performance at school;
- Lack of interest in favorite toys or activities;
- Loss of new skills, such as toilet training;
- Loss of balance or unsteady walking;
- Vomiting.
Boston Children’s Hospital has a department that specializes in children’s brain injuries. According to their website, head injuries are one of the most common causes of disability and death in children. The injury can range in severity from a bump, bruise (contusion), or cut on the head, to a moderate or severe injury due to a concussion, deep cut or open wound, fractured skull bone(s), or from internal bleeding and damage to the brain.
The more common causes of injuries to children are falls, motor vehicle accidents (where the child is either riding as a passenger in the car or is struck as a pedestrian), or a result of child abuse.
There is a high risk of head injuries in teen-age children, with boys twice as likely to be injured as girls. According to the website, studies show that head injuries are more common in the spring and summer months when children are riding bicycles, in-line skating, or skateboarding. The most common time associated with head injuries is late in the afternoon to early evening hours, and on weekends.
A complete medical evaluation and diagnostic testing can determine the full extent of any head injury. The doctor diagnoses the seriousness of the injury through a physical exam, diagnostic tests, a complete medical history of the child and family, and details of how the injury occurred. Serious head injuries to children may cause neurological problems and require additional treatment.
Kiley Law Group, located in Boston and Andover, Massachusetts takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent basis so there are NO FEES unless our Massachusetts child injury lawyers win your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation of your case – 1-888-208-1695.
