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
