Just like adults, children are susceptible to traumatic brain injuries in motor vehicle crashes, slip-and-fall accidents and other everyday incidents. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 160,000 kids require hospital care for the TBIs they sustain every single year. Countless others do not receive any medical attention at all, unfortunately.
Because young children cannot communicate effectively, doctors may not diagnose pediatric injuries until children fail to reach developmental milestones. Therefore, to ensure your child has access to appropriate care promptly, you may need to put up a bit of a fuss.
Symptoms of pediatric TBI
As a parent, you are in a good position to know when something is not right with your son or daughter. If your child suffers any type of head trauma, you should closely monitor him or her for any of the following:
- Mood changes
- Developmental delays
- Behavior changes
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Vomiting or loss of appetite
- Bruising
Your child’s prognosis
With pediatric brain injuries, early diagnosis can make a significant difference in recovery potential. Your child’s prognosis, though, probably depends on the extent of his or her injury. Still, if your son or daughter receives immediate treatment, he or she is likely to have a better chance of recovering completely.
Your first step is going to be to take your child to the hospital for an evaluation. Ultimately, though, if the hospital does not have a pediatric neurologist on staff, you may need to demand a referral to a major trauma center.