Head injuries are common among infants and young children and often result from trauma caused from falls. A concussion occurs when there is a temporary loss of brain function following an injury to the head. Concussion symptoms in infants can be difficult to identify due to communication limitations. Talk with your infant's pediatrician immediately if you notice the development of any concussion symptoms.
Irritability
An infant who has sustained a concussion can exhibit excessive or abnormal irritability as a symptom of this injury, explain doctors at the Mayo Clinic. A concussion can cause head pain and confusion, which are difficult symptoms to observe in an infant. If your infant experiences these symptoms, she can begin to cry or fuss and you may be unable to console her. Contact your pediatrician immediately if your infant continually cries for more than three hours after sustaining a head injury.
Fatigue or Difficulty Sleeping
Your infant can appear unusually fatigued or experience difficulty sleeping if she has a concussion. You can notice that she falls asleep quickly and sleeps for longer periods of time than normal. Alternatively, you may find that she wakes frequently throughout the night or only able to sleep for short periods of time. If you find it difficult to wake your infant from sleeping after she has experienced a head injury, seek emergency medical care immediately, advises Up To Date, a peer-reviewed medical website for patients, as such symptoms can be indicative of severe brain trauma.
Change in Eating Patterns
If you infant has sustained a concussion due to a head injury, you can notice changes in his eating patterns. He may not want to drink from his bottle or he may become difficult to breastfeed. Poor eating habits can exacerbate symptoms of irritability or sleeping difficulties. Health educators at Kids Health, an informational kids' health website established by the Nemours Foundation, warn that certain infants may begin vomiting as a symptom of a concussion, which can also contribute to changes in your infant's eating patterns.
Skull Swelling
Brain trauma resulting from a concussion can cause your infant's skull to appear swollen. If you notice that your infant's soft spot on her head--called the fontanelle--appears enlarged, swollen or bulging, seek emergency medical care, recommend health professionals at PDR Health, a website established by the publisher's of the Physicians' Desktop Reference.
Eye Changes
If your infant has experienced a concussion, you can notice that his pupils--the black region of his eyes--appear uneven or enlarged. Such symptoms can indicate severe damage to your infant's brain tissue and require immediate medical intervention, advise Mayo Clinic doctors.
