A concussion in babies is a head injury that may affect their brain functioning. Before a baby arrives, most parents take all the necessary precautions to ensure their little one’s safety, such as baby-proofing their homes. However, despite all their efforts, their babies may suffer minor injuries. Though minor injuries cause short-term pains and often resolve over time, concussions could affect their growth and developmental outcomes. Altogether, one must follow the important safety measures, such as keeping the floor dry and devoid of things that could make a baby fall. This could help control falls and head injuries in babies and prevent the consequences of an infant concussion. In this post, we discuss the causes, complications, and other important details of concussions in babies and some tips to avoid them.
What Is A Concussion?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a concussion is a head injury caused by a sudden jolt or blow that could disrupt normal brain functioning (1). This condition is mostly benign, with the impact on brain function typically being temporary. But in some cases, a concussion might disrupt normal brain activity and make the baby unconscious. The Harvard Medical School grades concussion on three scales of severity described below (2):
Grade 1: The least severe form of concussion, when the individual’s brain functions return to normalcy after 15 minutes.
Grade 2: When the brain malfunctions and the person is confused for more than 15 minutes.
Grade 3: When the impact is so severe that the person becomes unconscious.
As a concussion may be severe, you need to be alert and look out for the signs of concussion in a baby.
Signs And Symptoms Of Concussion In Babies
A concussion is a closed head injury, in which the brain might get affected, but without any prominent marks on the skull (3). Thus, the signs are subtle, and parents may find it difficult to understand if the baby has had a concussion. Symptoms may not show immediately after the injury (4). However, you could look out for these: Some of the above signs and symptoms are seen immediately due to the concussion. The others that either persist or arise later are referred to as post-concussion syndrome. You must also keep an eye out for other probable signs such as a wound or bump on the head. An infant may also touch a part of the head repeatedly, especially while crying, indicating pain in that part. Prompt pediatric consultation is advised for a head injury to avoid complications.
What Causes A Concussion In Babies?
A variety of reasons can lead to concussions in infants, as they have rudimentary reflexes and cannot protect themselves. As you may have noticed, simple, everyday activities can be a cause for concussion in babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends, as a safety measure, that you take your baby to a doctor if there is any injury to the head.
How Is Concussion In Babies Diagnosed?
Only a medical practitioner can make a conclusive diagnosis and tell if the baby has a concussion. Here is how the condition diagnosed:
1. Check for the physical signs
The doctor checks for external signs of brain trauma such as a bruise, wound, or swelling on the head. Further checks would be made to find any swelling in the fontanelles, the soft membranous tissue that connects the skull bones of an infant.
Injured blood vessels rupture internally and bleed, which is seen on the skin as a blue-black patch (bruises).
In severe concussions, the baby may develop blue or black skin discolorations around the eyes or behind the ears.
An unbalanced dilation of the pupils may occur, where one eye is permanently dilated while the other is normal. Both eyes may stay dilated with wide-open pupils that do not respond to light. The doctor would check for such dilations and abnormalities.
2. Basic medical tests
A concussion can cause a malfunction in motor skills, and a doctor tests these skills to determine the damage.
In the case of suspected malfunctioning, the doctor could conduct basic tests to discern if the baby’s vision and hearing are affected. For this, the doctor would check the movement of the baby’s head in response to a sound or baby’s ability to spot a moving object in peripheral vision.
In the case of older infants, the doctor would ask the infant to touch the nose, throw a ball, walk in a straight line, or something similar.
3. Imaging tests
If the test results are inconclusive or the symptoms of concussion are severe, then the doctor would conduct imaging tests to assess the skull.
An x-ray may be the first choice since it is quick in identifying a skull fracture.
Scans such as CT and MRI can be conducted in more severe cases as they provide a three-dimensional image of the baby’s skull.
Once the doctor confirms the concussion, the treatment begins immediately.
How Is Concussion In Babies Treated?
The treatment of concussion will depend on the extent of the injury. The treatment could include:
Rest: Rest is the most important treatment since it is non-invasive, baby-safe, and also ideal for a non-open wound condition, such as a concussion (7). The doctor would advise you to keep the baby away from vigorous physical activities involving cognitive skills as the brain needs rest.
Topical ointment: If the baby has a bruise or small wound at the point of impact, then the doctor could prescribe a topical ointment primarily to prevent infection and alleviate the pain.
Some home remedies for pain, such as an ice pack might help the infant feel better, but do not force it if the baby is not comfortable with the cold sensation.
What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Concussion In Infants?
Concussions heal over time and do not usually cause any serious health problems. However, it is wise to get a concussion checked by a medical professional to know the extent of the damage. Severe head injuries could lead to: Most concussions do not cause any long-term effects. However, you can minimize the risk of both short and long-term problems by preventing concussions.
How To Prevent Concussions In Babies?
You can mitigate the risk of concussions by keeping your baby safe at home. Here are a few precautions you can take (11):
