After effects of head injury?

[GooseyLoosey]

Ds recently suffered a head injury which left him unconcious for a period of time and in hospital. Scans showed no brain injury and he is now out of hospital.

I have started to worry that there might be something which in several years time might manifiest itself - a blood clot or some neurological change.

Does anyone know anything about head trauma and whether I am imagining this or not?

[TotalRockChick]

Hiya x Not a medical expert, but have worked for NHS several years so picked up a few bits + bobs ... typically scans immediately after the incident would show up any areas which may be cause for concern, certainly blood clots are unlikely to manifest after about 48 hours from time of injury from what I know, but so far as long standing neurological changes are concerned keep an eye on how his development is in comparison to his peers - speech and agility the easiest to look at. Remember all kids develop differently so even if he does seem a bit behind others the same age don't panic!! It will be on his med records since he was taken to hospital for tests, so if anything was to show up they can easily link it back if it is likely to be the root cause, but in all honesty from the med knowledge I've picked up + all the kids I've known to knock themselves out it is highly unlikely that anything untoward will develop. If you're still concerned about any aspect of his recovery, take him to see your GP/nurse and explain the concerns and they can go through everything in fine detail with you. Its natural to worry and they do understand that so don't be afraid to ask

[AtheneNoctua]

Hi Goosey. I hit my head quite hard when I was 6. I was out for a couple of hours -- technically long enough that I was in a coma. I am not a doctor and so not sure about this, but I think that if there is any damage it will show up right away. How long was he unconcious?

Come to think of it, I hit me head again when I was a teenager. But, this time, I was only out for a matter of minutes.

Also, if there is a brain injury, a child's brain will recover much better than an adults and as I recall your DS is... aroung 8 or so? Is that right?

[AtheneNoctua]

But, of course I do have a problem typing "me" when I should type "my".

[GooseyLoosey]

Thanks very much for your responses - real life has a habit of intervening just when I post something I really want an answer too. I needed just that kind of reassurance

Wow Athena - you must have given yourself quite a wallop! Ds was only completely out for a few minutes but I have to say it was the worst few minutes of my life (followed by the days he then spent in intensive care).

The guilt that we let this happen to him (he fell off a climbing frame) is crushing. I will never forgive myself if there is any long term effect of this.

[AtheneNoctua]

I don't actually know what happened. Apparently I was playing on the ice after school and presumably slipped and cracked my head. My teacher came outside and found me on the ground lying on my back not breathing. She called an ambulance while the school nurse gave me mouth to mouth. My mum was parked out front waiting for me to come out and get in the car. I'm not sure at what point she realised the ambulance was arriving to collect me.

Anyway, I recovered and I am fine.

Don't beat yourself up. If letting your child play on a climbing frame is a sin than we should all be committed to an eternity in Hell for much worse.

Kids fall. It happens. You CAN'T always prevent these things. And feeling guilty won't do anything for him or you.

[GooseyLoosey]

Thanks Athene - your mother must have had one hell of a fright when she realised what the ambulance was there for. As the moment dh and I are both feeling guilty whilst reassuring the other that it is not their fault! Rationally I know that we didn't do anything that most parents wouldn't do, but somehow, it doesn't help. I want to stop ds from ever climbing anything again but know we can't!

[GooseyLoosey]

Thanks DM623 - I have never heard of that and shall certainly check it out!