Serious head injuries will need immediate medical attention. These are potentially serious because they can lead to damage of the brain.

Concussion

This is caused due to ‘shaking the brain’. There is fluid around the brain protecting it from hitting directly onto your skull. If the head receives a blow the brain can shake from one side to the other which can cause a disruption to its normal functions. 

Recognition

• Unconscious for a short period of time, once awake levels of response should improve
• Short term memory loss
• Repeating things if able to speak
• Vomiting
• Pale, clammy skin
• Mild headache
• Nausea

If you suspect concussion arrange for the child to see further medical attention as soon as possible. They must be with someone at all times until they can be properly assessed. 

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Compression Head Injury

This is a very serious condition caused by bleeding or swelling within the skull. The brain is under an extreme amount of pressure.  These symptoms do not always appear immediately after the head injury, they may develop over a few hours or days. Levels of response may become worse as the condition develops.

Recognition

• History of a recent head injury, child may even seem to have recovered but then deteriorates
• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Flushed, dry skin,
• Intense headache and nausea
• Deep, noisy, slow breathing
• Slow, strong pulse
• One or both pupils dilated
• Seizures

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Fractured Skull

A skull fracture is when bone in the skull has been broken by an injury or trauma. This is a serious head injury because the broken bone can directly damage the brain or cause bleeding, which can result in a compression head injury.

The child may also suffer from concussion or compression so those signs and symptoms might be present along with-

• Swelling or bruising of the head, around one or both eyes or behind the ear
• Blood or clear fluid running from the nose or ears
• A blow to the head can also cause a spinal injury, treat the child with extra precautions.

Call 999/112 if-

Treatment

• Monitor their condition and record any changes
• Constantly monitor their airway, breathing and circulation
• If the child is unconscious keep them still and warm. If you can not keep their airway clear place them in the recovery position keeping their head, neck and body in line as you turn them
• If the child is conscious assist them to lie down, keep the head, neck and body in line
• Control any bleeding with gentle pressure around the wound. If blood is running out their nose or ear do not try to stop this

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