About 30 years ago, March became designated as “Brain Injury Awareness Month.” As parents, brain injuries are not always something on our radar. However, traumatic brain injuries are much more common than most parents would like to believe. Even though anyone can suffer a brain injury, two of the most at-risk groups are older adults and children.
According to published data, during the seven years ending in 2016, almost 2 million children visited emergency departments due to sports or recreational activity-related traumatic brain injuries. Most of those children were seem from injuries stemming from playing football, soccer, and baseball, bicycle riding, and utilizing playgrounds. If you are a parent and concerned about protecting your children, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about brain injuries:
What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury is when the brain is injured, usually by a violent jolt or a blow to the head or body. Brain injuries can also occur when an object pierces the brain, such as a bullet or fragment of a person’s own skull. Mild brain injuries can also be referred to as concussions.
What the symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)?
Physical symptoms of a mTBI or concussion can include the following: loss of consciousness, acting dazed or confused, headache, nausea, or vomiting, ringing in the ears, speech problems, changes in sleep, and sleeping more than usual. Children may also experience sensitivity to sound or light, bad taste in mouth, memory or concentration problems, mood swings, depression, anxiety, and changes in ability to smell.
What if your child is too young to communicate how they feel following a bump to the head?
If your child is an infant or of tender years, it may be difficult or impossible for them to tell you that they have a headache, confusion, or sensory changes. In this case, be on the lookout for the following:
- Changes in eating/nursing patterns
- Irritability
- Persistent crying or inability to be consoled
- Change in attention span
- Sleep habit changes
- Seizures
- Sad mood
- Tired or drowsy
- Loss of interest in favorite activities or toys
It is essential for a parent always to contact his or her child’s physician if she suspects a head injury.
What are the most common causes of childhood mTBI?
Concussions in children often result from falls, car crashes, violence (i.e., shaken baby syndrome), and sporting or recreational activities.
What can parents do to prevent an mTBI?
- Make sure all infants and small children are in the proper car seat for their height and weight
- Children should ride in the backseat of the vehicle until they reach the height required to be safe from an airbag deployment
- Helmets should be worn when riding a bicycle or riding a skateboard.
- Protective headgear should be worn when playing baseball, contact sports, skating, or horseback riding
- Do not let children jump on the bed and avoid bunk beds if at all possible
- Install gates at the tops of staircases and keep stairs clear from clutter
If your child suffered a traumatic brain injury after being involved in an accident, it is essential to speak with a skilled Kansas City Injury Attorney as soon as possible. Only an experienced Kansas City Personal Injury Attorney can determine whether you may be able to hold another party responsible for your child’s injuries. The attorneys at the Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped countless injury victims, in both Kansas and Missouri, obtain compensation. Our compassionate team of attorneys will fight for your rights and hold the wrongdoers accountable. To schedule an initial consultation with one of our Injury Attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673