Concussion in Children after a Car Accident

Head injuries are scary – but they’re even scarier when children suffer them. Our smallest passengers are the most likely to sustain a head injury when they’re involved in car accidents, but would you know if your child had a concussion? How can you tell?

Concussions in Children after a Car Accident

symptoms-concussion-children-car-accidentA concussion is a traumatic brain injury. It can have temporary or permanent effects, and it’s caused by the brain hitting the inside of the skull as the result of an impact or a sudden stop. Most car accidents involve sudden stops, so even if your child wasn’t hurt by the impact, he or she may still have a concussion.

Symptoms of Car Accident-Related Concussion in Children

Kids are a lot like adults when we’re talking about symptoms of concussion. If your child has been involved in a car crash, make sure you’re keeping a close eye on any potential symptoms for about three weeks. Symptoms of a car accident-related concussion in kids include:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Irritability, sadness, restlessness or other mood changes
  • Difficulty remembering or concentrating
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness and loss of balance
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • A loss of newly acquired skills, such as walking, talking and toilet training

If your little one shows any of these symptoms, make sure he or she is seen by a doctor right away. If the symptoms are severe, go to the nearest emergency room. If your child loses consciousness after any possible head trauma, you also need to head to the ER immediately.

Concussion Treatments for Kids

In many cases, your physician will just advise you to watch for more severe symptoms. He may also advise you to give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen for discomfort. However, in severe cases, doctors need to admit children to the hospital for emergency treatment.

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