HEALTH EDUCATION

MONITORING AFTER A HEAD INJURY

 Parents of a child with a head injury are usually instructed to observe their child at home
for signs of worsening injury. The parents should call the pediatrician or take the child to
the emergency department immediately if the child does any of the following:
• Vomits twice or continues to vomit four to six hours after the injury.
• Develops a severe or worsening headache.
• Becomes more and more drowsy or is hard to awaken.
• Has a hard time walking, talking or seeing.
• Develops a stiff neck.
• Has a seizure (convulsion) or any abnormal movements.
• Has weakness or numbness involving any part of the body.
 Follow-up visit - Most health care providers recommend a follow up visit or phone call
within 24 hours after the injury. This is to ensure that the child is behaving normally,
feeling well and that there are no signs of brain injury.
PREVENTION
Head injuries can often be prevented. The following tips can help to prevent head injuries,
as well as other types of injuries.
Bicycle safety — The majority of bicycle-related deaths and hospital admissions are
caused by head injuries. Bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head, and brain injuries for
bicyclists of all ages. Thus, all bicycle riders and passengers of all ages should wear a
helmet every time they ride a bicycle.
• Bicycle helmets should fit properly and be worn in the proper position. 
• Children younger than one year should not ride in bicycle-mounted carriers or trailers.
• When used, mounted carriers should be securely mounted, should have a spoke guard
and seat with a high back, shoulder harness, and lap belt.
General safety tips
• Install car seats and booster seats correctly, and use the seat every time the child rides in
a car. A booster seat is needed until the shoulder belt can be worn across the shoulder
(rather than the face or neck), when the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Individual
states may have additional regulations regarding the need for booster seats.
• Use gates on stairways and doors to prevent injuries in infants and young children. Install
window guards on all windows above the first floor. Do not use wheeled baby walkers.
• Teach children to safely cross the street by stopping at the curb and looking both ways
(left, right, left). Young children should never cross the street alone.
• Discuss sports safety with your child's health care provider. Be sure that the child or
adolescent has the appropriate protective equipment for biking, skating, skateboarding,
skiing, snowboarding, or contact sports. Protective equipment often includes a helmet,
mouthguard, wrist guards, eye protection, and knee and shin pads.