Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms in Children
Children can be very self aware, but they are sometimes unable to properly express what they are experiencing. As a result, brain injury symptoms in children need to be observed by an adult, since they may not communicate their pain or confusion to you.
General Symptoms
First, let’s go over a list of general symptoms for severe traumatic brain injury—in anyone. These symptoms can sometimes be obviously disruptive and painful, but other times they might be just subtle enough to be waved away as a passing ailment. They are not mutually exclusive or inclusive of each other; they don’t always present at the same time and usually appear within the first few hours or days after a head injury.
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Loss of consciousness (for over 10 minutes)
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Impaired memory
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Problems concentrating
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Nausea
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Dizziness
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Sensitivity to lights and sounds
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Drowsiness
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Abnormal sleeping patterns
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Confusion
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Agitation or aggressive behavior
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Enunciation problems
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Numbness in fingers or toes
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Vomiting
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Seizures
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Pupil dilation
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Clear fluid running or dripping from nose or ears
Children’s behavior
Children that have serious brain injuries will act differently than normal. Typical behaviors of injured children include the following:
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Abnormal eating habits
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Repeated and continuous crying, whining, or irritability
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Cannot be consoled or soothed (by regular soothing and calming methods)
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Abnormal sleeping habits
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Sad or depressed
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Loss of interest in their typically favorite things (to do or to play with)
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Cannot concentrate or pay attention
If your child shows any of these symptoms, be sure to contact a doctor as soon as possible. If the head injury that resulted in severe traumatic brain injury was a result of another person or persons’ negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Loewy Law Firm today for a free consultation.