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In young children, only 2 out of 10 concussions occur during physical or sports activities.
A look at common causes
Young children are not necessarily able to express their symptoms and discomfort after a head injury.
If you interact with young children, you may encounter this type of situation. One of the first questions that might come to mind is: What do I do?
We have compiled some practical tips to keep in mind as soon as a worrisome hit to the head occurs in a young child.
What to do immediately after a head injury?
1 - Don’t panic!
Keep a cool head. Not all head injuries are necessarily concussions. Bumps and bruises don’t always mean the brain has been injured. And when a concussion occurs, most children recover within a few days or weeks.
2 - Put everything on pause
Remove the child from the activity, unless they are unconscious. In that case, they should not be moved, except to clear the airways.
3 - Keep an eye open
Avoid leaving the child alone for the next three hours.
4 - Observe, observe, observe
Observe red flags and symptoms and refer to the Early Childhood Detection Tool to guide your next steps.
5 - Trust your judgment
Trust your judgment to observe behaviors that seem unusual or amplified, especially if you know the child well.
And if the concussion diagnosis is confirmed by a healthcare professional?
A concussion occurs when the brain is shaken inside the skull. This causes a temporary disturbance in brain function and certain symptoms.
In most cases, these symptoms gradually decrease after 2 weeks and disappear 1 month after the injury. In some cases, they may last longer.
So, it’s better to stay vigilant for a while and to learn how to support the child recovery! A gradual return to usual activities promotes the child’s recovery and well-being, reduces the risk of developing persistent symptoms and prevents further blows to the head.
What to do in the days or weeks following a concussion?
1 - A little rest for the little one
An active rest period of one to two days is recommended after the injury. During this period, a child should give their brain a break by limiting screens and activities requiring a lot of concentration (e.g. school, daycare, puzzles).
The body also needs to rest by limiting physical activity to activities of daily living (e.g. walking, quiet indoor games). The activities chosen should not significantly aggravate symptoms.
2 - Duely noted, doctor!
Follow the advice provided by the qualified healthcare professional consulted following the injury. In the event of atypical persistence or an unexpected increase in symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact healthcare providers again.
3 - An adjusted routine
Adapt your expectations and routines in the following days. For example, if the child is tired, allow longer or more frequent naps.
4 - All eyes, all ears
Stay alert to the presence of symptoms and invite the other adults in the child’s life to do the same. Watch for changes in behavior that may reflect discomfort, pain or challenges experienced by the young child.
5 - Ring ring!
Contact the adults involved in the child’s care (e.g. educational or teaching staff, coach) about symptoms, their recovery, and the medical advice received.
6 - Waiting for the green light
Encourage a gradual return to normal activities. Wait for authorization from healthcare professional before completely returning the child to activities involving the risk of a collision, fall or hit to the head.
In a nutshell
Young children can’t always express their discomfort after a concussion. Step into their world and gain a deeper understanding of their journey and the essential role played by the adults who care for them.
Some references
- Child SCOAT6 (2023). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57, 672-688. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/672
- Dupont, D., Tang, K., Beaudoin, C., et al. (2024). Postconcussive Symptoms After Early Childhood Concussion. JAMA Network Open, 7(3) : e243182. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.3182
- Gouvernement du Québec (2019). Protocole de gestion des commotions cérébrales pour le milieu de l’éducation et dans le cadre d’activités récréatives et sportives.
- Haarbauer-Krupa, J., Arbogast, K.B., Metzger, K.B. et al (2018). Variations in mechanisms of injury for children with concussion. The Journal of Peadiatrics, 197 (e1): 241-248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.01.075
- Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (2021). Traumatisme cranio-cérébral léger (commotion cérébrale). Conseils pour la reprise graduelle des activités intellectuelles, physiques et sportives.
- The Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (CRT6) (2023). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57, 692-694. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/692
