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Concussion in Children

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Children frequently bump and bruise their heads.

Infants and young children may fall down stairs or from high places at home (counter tops, high chairs, beds, fire escapes, decks). They also fall from playground equipment (swings, jungle gyms). Some are seriously injured by being violently shaken.

Elementary school-age children may have concussions from bicycle crashes, playground falls, recreational and sports activities (skating, skiing, gymnastics) or in car crashes.

Older children often have concussions in sports activities (football, soccer, basketball), car crashes, and assaults.

A concussion results in immediate chemical changes within the nerve cells of the brain. This is like a neurochemical cascade that happens in the first few seconds after the injury. It often results in retrograde amnesia (difficulty remembering events after the concussion) and anterograde amnesia (difficulty remembering events before the concussion). A concussion can cause bruising, swelling and bleeding in the brain and skull.

When children are taken for emergency care, they may or may not show any immediate signs of a concussion. Most of the time, they are discharged home with their family. Hospital emergency departments frequently give concussion guide sheets to help families monitor their child for the next few days. Follow-up with the child's physician is recommended.

What should you watch for?

Early signs of concussion include...

• confusion
• agitation
• dizziness
• vomiting
• headache
• nausea