Internal bleeding - how would I know?

[handlemecarefully]

Baby ds has woken me for a feed, and now I can't get back to sleep for worrying about my 23 month old dd.

She fell from a friends climbing frame (drop circa 6 feet) late Monday afternoon, and the middle of her back took the full force of the fall when she struck the bottom 'rung' of the climbing frame. The force of it slightly bent the bottom rung of the climbing frame (its metal - don't know what type).

Although she was hysterical (understandably) immediately after the fall, miraculously and thankfully she appeared relatively uninjured afterwards and minutes later was walking around normally. Some bruising was apparent on her back - but not much quite honestly. She didn't complain of pain any time later that evening.... But now I am haunted by the thought that she may have hidden internal bleeding - how on earth would I know? Am I right to be worried?

[Ghosty]

Your poor DD HMC ... ...
I think if she walking around normally then it is unlikely that she has hurt herself too badly, but why not pop down to the doctor's tomorrow just to be on the safe side?
I remember DS falling off a slide (about 6 foot drop too) when he was 2 and a half and landing on his face but his body falling over backwards so he basically bent his neck and back backwards to land ... IYSWIM ... I was convinced he had broken his neck but after a whole lot of screaming he ran off to the swings without a worry.
Let us know how DD is tomorrow won't you?

[Chandra]

I think that you would have already seen some signs if she were bleeding internally, and definitively she wouldn't be her usual self.

Children are extremely resilient, it is most likely that she is fine but take her to the GP if you want to double check.

[Levanna]

Hi hmc, I get night time jitters about things similar to this and really sympathise. I can't offer a great deal of knowledge, but I would expect that if your little DD had any serious injuries internally she would be in a certain amount of pain by now? I think if it were me (not only would I also be up worrying, probably needlessly!) I'd consider her behaviour the main indicator for if I needed to have her checked out. If she was in pain following the accident or showed any signs of swelling I couldn't realisticly link to the expected bruising then I'd be concerned about further injuries. Also, if it were possibly the kidney area of her back I think I'd keep an eye on her urine to check there were no changes there.
I'm sure she'd let you know if there's anything to worry about! Would it be possible for her to see your GP tomorrow if you are still worried then?
x

[robinw]

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[handlemecarefully]

Thanks all - I think you are right in that if there was internal bruising it would be apparent in her behaviour etc by this morning....she is old enough to tell me things hurt etc and hasn't mentioned a thing, and is going gaily around her daily business - so panic officially over!

[handlemecarefully]

I meant 'internal bleeding'...it must be the sleep deprivation!

[Levanna]

Good to hear . Glad she's fine today, and that you're happier!