A traumatic brain injury is a close-headed injury that occurs as the result of a sudden blow or blunt force trauma to the head. This type of injury causes damage to the brain and affects the brain cells on either a temporary or permanent basis. If you were in a car accident, which is one of the most common causes of a TBI, and your child was a passenger in the vehicle, it is important that you are familiar with the signs and symptoms of TBIs in children.
TBIs affect everyone differently and can have a broad range of physical and psychological effects. Symptoms can appear immediately, or they may take days to weeks to develop. As a TBI victim yourself, you may easily recognize the signs. However, if your child is younger and unable to either articulate or voice his or her concerns, the signs may not be immediately obvious. In these cases, how can you tell if your child has a TBI and requires treatment? The Mayo Clinic details the top signs of a TBI in a child to look for.
TBI symptoms in children
Some of the most common symptoms of a TBI include headaches, sensory issues, communication problems and confusion. Unfortunately, young children are often unable to articulate to their parents when they develop these issues, which means you must remain vigilant for changes in your child’s behaviors and patterns. Some changes you may observe after an accident are as follows:
- Easy or unusual irritability
- Changes in nursing or eating habits
- Inconsolability and persistent crying
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Unusual lack of focus
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Seizures
- Loss of interest in favorite toys, activities or TV shows
If you notice any of the changes in your child in the days or weeks following an accident, consult with his or her doctor right away.
Possible complications
With or without treatment, TBI victims can develop complications. This is especially true of persons who sustain moderate to severe brain injuries. The most common complications entail prolonged or permanent changes in awareness, states of consciousness or responsiveness. Examples of each include minimally conscious state, coma, vegetative state and brain death. Physical complications may include vertigo, headaches, infections, seizure, blood vessel damage and fluid buildup in the brain.
Brain injuries can have significant complications. If your child sustained a TBI in an accident, you may require financial remuneration and more, in which case you may want legal help.
