ADVICE FOR PARENTS OF A CHILD FOLLOWING A HEAD BUMP OR INJURY

Some minor symptoms are normal after a head injury. These include: – 

• Feeling generally miserable and ‘off-colour’.
• Loss of appetite. Your child may feel sick or may just be off their food. Do not force food but offer little and often and ensure they have plenty to drink.
• Increased tiredness. Your child may wish to go to sleep earlier than usual, or during the day when they don’t usually. Many people believe that children should not be allowed to sleep after a head injury. This is not true. The belief probably arises from the confusion between sleep and unconsciousness. Someone who is unconscious cannot be woken up. If a child is sleeping normally just pop in and see them every couple of hours to check that they respond to you, for example, if you shake them gently or tickle their feet. 
• Lack of interest and concentration including trouble with reading or schoolwork.
• Headache. Children may complain of a headache and can be given Paracetamol (Calpol) for this. 

If your child is feeling unwell keep them quiet and resting as much as possible.

Discourage them from playing active games, watching television for long periods, or playing computer games. These symptoms improve steadily and your child will be back to normal in a couple of days. They may need to stay home from school during this time. 

Abnormal Symptoms

Even after a minor head injury, complications do occasionally occur. We would recommend you contact your local hospital or urgent care should your child develop any of the following symptoms:-

• Becomes steadily more sleepy, or is difficult to rouse from sleep. 
• Appears confused and what they say does not make sense, or they do not seem to understand what is said to them.
• Is sick more often than once (vomiting once soon after the injury is common and less serious).
• Complains of severe headache or any trouble with their vision. 
• Has any sort of attack that you think may be a fit.

This policy was last revised March 2023.