Jump to
How can you care for your child who has a head injury?
- Follow instructions from your child's doctor. The doctor will tell you if you need to watch your child closely for the next 24 hours or longer.
- Have your child take it easy for the next few days or more if your child is not feeling well.
- Ask your doctor when it's okay for your child to go back to activities like riding a bike or playing a sport.
Head injury in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child has a seizure.
- Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
- Your child is confused or hard to wake up.
- Your child has a headache that gets worse and does not go away.
- Your child has new vision changes or one pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) that is larger than the other.
- Your child has slurred speech, balance problems, or decreased coordination.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has new or worse vomiting.
- Your child seems less alert.
- Your child has new weakness or numbness in any part of the body.
- Your child has new symptoms, such as headaches, trouble concentrating, or changes in mood.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child does not get better as expected.
©2011-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated
The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.