MARCH

Heads Up!  

            The national statistics on pediatric brain injuries are nothing short of alarming.  Roughly 2-5% of the child population sustains a brain injury annually.  To put the previous metric in perspective, it is expected that most public schools will have a head injury rate of 50 students every year.  While head injuries are common, we still need to take them very seriously.  In fact, several pediatricians consider brain injuries, even minor ones, the most significant public health issue of our time.  

      A well-known and widespread type of brain injury is called a concussion.  It is important to remember that a ?concussion? is classified as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).  Although concussions are very familiar to most people, these injuries are sometimes linked to persistent problems.  Due to new technology, we are beginning to understand that concussions and repeated mild head injuries can cause lasting neurological disorders.

            In brain injury cases, parents can play a pivotal role in their child?s recovery.   If your child has a concussion it is helpful to follow these suggestions:

1.      Remember that the vast majority of concussions will recover, but it may take up to 21 days or more.  The amount of time necessary for children to recover is considerably more than once thought.  Parents must understand the expected time frame for recovery and not try to push a child too quickly.  

2.      Always seek professional medical care if your child has a head injury?don?t rely on internet information or a friendly neighbor for advice.  Call a doctor or nurse?all head injuries MUST be taken seriously!  Do not fall into the trap, ?Well I had a head injury and I?m okay.?

3.      Students with head injuries are encouraged to rest both physically and cognitively for several days.  After a concussion, injured children should be kept from physical activities for 7 days from ?last reported symptom? and they must be cleared by a doctor to return to sports.

4.      You absolutely must protect your child from having a second head injury while he or she is recovering from a first injury.  Having two brain injuries in a short period of time may cause permanent damage or worse.

5.      Children should not start academic work too soon after a head injury.  Reading or writing too soon after an injury typically increases the recovery time.    Students need a few days of ?complete? cognitive rest post-injury.

6.      Limit the amount of TV, social media, and computer time for your child during the recovery period.

7.      Make sure your child is eating, drinking and sleeping well.  Sleeping difficulties are common after an injury, but often overlooked.  Also, the brain needs an enormous amount of moisture and children must be properly hydrated after an injury to heal efficiently. 

8.      Report any increase in symptoms after the injury to a doctor, especially headaches.  A sudden increase in headaches may be extremely serious. 

     In short, head injuries in children, even small ones, must be handled appropriately.  Parents can no longer just say, ?Oh it?s just a bump to the head.?  Remember, a bump to the head may also be a trauma to a child?s brain.