A concussion is a brain injury that can be caused by any accident which causes a direct blow to the head. When the head sustains trauma, the brain may wobble inside the skull, causing swelling and bruising of the brain tissue. Children are at risk for concussion from any activity that poses the possibility of head trauma, such as sports, bicycle riding or playing on park equipment. Any child with a head injury should be medically treated and observed for concussion symptoms, which can occur immediately after injury.
Fatigue
Concussion results in trauma to the brain, which can cause swelling of the brain tissue and pressure inside the skull. This signals the brain to slow down in an attempt to heal itself and causes sleepiness and fatigue. A child with a concussion may feel tired immediately after sustaining a head injury and remain fatigued for several hours afterward.
While it is normal for concussion victims to want to sleep, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends waking a child every two hours from sleep for the first 12 hours after a head injury, and asking a simple question for the child to answer. This helps ensure the brain is functioning normally. A child who does not awaken easily should be evaluated by medical professionals immediately.
Nausea and Vomiting
Pressure inside the skull from head trauma and concussion can cause nausea and vomiting. A child may vomit immediately after sustaining a head injury and continue to feel nausea for several hours afterward. Nausea may not be accompanied by vomiting but can be severe and result in dry-heaves. Severe vomiting--vomiting that occurs more than three to four times after head injury--can indicate a more serious complication.
Mental Changes
KidsHealth.org states that younger children may experience the same symptoms of concussion as older children; however, mental changes may be more subtle. A child may be very confused over her injury or the events that caused it and may not remember the event. In addition, she may have sudden mood changes, such as becoming unusually agitated, fidgety or anxious. Other changes can also occur, including slurred speech, trouble thinking or being off-balance. While these symptoms can dissipate within hours after a concussion, they may last for weeks and should be carefully monitored by a physician to ensure proper recovery is taking place.
