Baby Head Injury

[pinkposey]

Awfully, my son pulled down a heavy object onto his forehead this morning. He cried passionately for a short while and now is back to normal, though there is a bruise already on his forehead. I've researched child concussion, and I know that I'm looking out for him to have changes to sleep schedule, be less alert, have eye contact issues as emergency things to pick up on. Miraculously, he seems totally normal, but I am really worried. Should I take him to the doctors anyhow just in case to get him checked over? We live in DRCongo, and so if I do go to the doctor, I need to have absolutely accurate questions to ask as otherwise I don't think the doctor here will do more than the overall checks that I've done myself with internet research. Is there anything else I should be looking out for? Help please!! Also, is there anything I can do to help with the bruising? Also, please don't tell me to be more careful in future, I'm already beating myself up alot for allowing this to happen and it won't be happening again. Thank you so much in advance for any advice.

[Tortoiseonthehalfshell]

Oh, you poor thing. It's so awful when they get hurt, and so difficult not to blame yourself.

Head trauma symptoms would include going pale, quiet, floppy (how old is he?), vomiting and general nausea. It doesn't sound like he has any lasting effect to worry about, and you already know to look out for the right things.

Sorry, I don't know if there's much you can do about the bruising. My DD sustained a very serious head trauma at 4 months (bilateral skull fracture - thankfully, with no lasting damage) and I don't remember the paediatric hospital doing anything about the bruising at all, actually. They just waited for it to subside.