Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment | Ankura Hospital

The brain is the most important organ of the body and is protected in a strong bony structure. Children owing to their mobility and soft skulls are often prone to injuries of the brain which can range from mild to severe. 

The term “traumatic brain injury” encompasses a wide range of symptoms, from minor to severe. These injuries, which can range from bumps and bruises to concussions, skull fractures, and more severe brain damage, happen when the head is struck directly or indirectly. Common causes include falls from heights, fall of objects on the child, road traffic accidents and swing injuries to name a few. The main factors that determine the extent of injury are the force of impact, height of fall, surface of impact and velocity of the impact.

These symptoms can range from brief loss of consciousness, seizures, fractures of skull and facial bones, eye injury, bleeding, stroke, pressure effect on brain and coma. Associated injuries of other structures should be looked for. Infections, deformities, prolonged seizures are late complications.

External wounds

Nausea or vomiting

Fatigue or drowsiness

Dizziness

Difficulty walking or loss of balance

Ringing in the ears

Double or blurry vision

Numbness or tingling sensations

Loss of consciousness

Seizures 

Deficit in function of one or more limbs

Vision and hearing abnormalities

Brain fluid leaks and recurrent infections

Loss of milestones

Decreased memory 

Poor scholastic performance

Post-concussion headaches

Emotional Signs

Becoming easily irritated 

Feeling sad 

Losing interest in regular activities

Getting frustrated or angry quickly

Impatient/hyperactivity

Experiencing emotional outbursts

Struggling to cope with daily routines

Altered sleep patterns

With increased sleep latency and interrupted sleep.

Nightmares 

How Are Traumatic Brain Injuries Diagnosed in Children?

Usually the diagnosis is straightforward. In case of vague symptoms or if the parent has not witnessed the injury, the doctor will analyze and do required examinations and tests to look for any signs of injury. To determine the extent of the damage, an MRI or CT scan might be necessary in some cases.

Depending on the need for treatment, Intensive care treatment or routine care is provided. In some cases, surgery may be required.

Physical Therapy: Enhancing motor function, walking, balance, postural control, activity tolerance, and musculoskeletal headache management are all goals of physical therapy.

Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy aims to improve skills related to vision, coordination, problem-solving, and mental processing.
Speech-Language Therapy: This therapy focuses on improving communication skills, including speaking, listening, reading, writing, as well as social, memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities.

Balance Therapy: The purpose of balancing treatment is to treat dizziness and balance problems that may impact mobility and safety.

Vision Therapy: Vision treatments aim to alleviate blurry vision, double vision, eyestrain, headaches, and difficulties with reading and using computers.

How to prevent these injuries?

As we can understand that most of these are completely preventable, public should be actively educated in anticipating such injuries and about the necessary precautions needed.

Few of them are

Making homes safe for children

Avoiding placing heavy objects at height 

Fixing television sets to wall rather than placing them on stands

Avoid placing stools at corners

Shut the doors of rooms when not in use

Securing steps with doors/ mesh

Securing the balconies

Avoid placing stools in the balcony

Always be aware of the Child’s presence at home. 

The type and severity of your child’s brain injury will determine the course of their follow-up care. When your child is discharged from the hospital, your doctor will explain the follow-up procedure.