It is not easy to tell when children fall whether or not they have sustained serious head injuries that require immediate attention. Most children—especially toddlers—are prone to bumping their heads as they start to walk, run, and jump. Fortunately, most of the head injuries incurred by young children are innocuous. However, they do occur more often in comparison to adult head injuries. Some of the reasons young children are more likely to sustain a head injury include:
- Lack of Head Movement Control
- Underdeveloped Neck Muscles
- Proportionately shorter legs
Some of the most common head injuries in toddlers are from falling and being abused. A head injury in a person this young may result in injuries to the brain. If you suspect that a serious head injury has taken place, check the child for difficulty breathing, being in a state of shock, and severe bleeding. These symptoms may require immediate medical attention. The child may also have hurt his or her back, as well as the face, mouth, and teeth if there has been a head injury.
In any case, monitor your child for a full 24 hours after a head injury and note any unusual changes. Watch the child carefully to see whether he or she develops any signs of a life-threatening head wound. Our brain injury attorney in Tampa, FL, has handled numerous head-injury cases. Visit JimSouzaLaw.com when you need help determining the nature of your case.