Taking DS to A&E

[NoUseNumber27]

14 month old DS fell over at swimming, forehead first, has been sleepy ever since but not sure if swimming just wore him out?

Now in the car en route to hospital and he seems more awake and happier. AIBU to take him to A&E?
Don’t want to be seen as a crazy mum or waste anyone’s time!

It was a rumble whilst skiing and she was fine afterwards but bleeding which no one knew about. So it’s always better to err on the cautious side.

That's pretty rude of you

I'm only saying what the triage nurse at a&e will be thinking when they see a perfectly happy toddler with an everyday bump on their head who simply tripped.

I agree with above. 111 adviced me to take one if mine to a&e a year ago. I went straight there, I didn't waste time asking non medical posters on a forum 😳

Hope your DS is okay. follow 111 advice and your instincts - you can't ignore that niggle. Hopefully you are wrong so you should be home and all sleeping soundly later.

If you are questioning whether you should go, then go. If you thought he was okay, you wouldn’t be thinking of it.

Hope the little dc is okay.

@my2bundles I wasn’t ‘wasting time’ as was already on the way. But thanks for your input I was just wondering what others think as clearly some think it is a waste of nhs time!!

We took 2yr old to a&e after he fell and knocked himself out. 111 said not to worry if he falls asleep. Dr then confirmed sleep is fine, it's your body's way of shutting down so it can concentrate on what needs healing and reboot itself. It's fine to let your child sleep after a head bump as long as you can rouse them (no need to properly wake them, just make sure they respond)

I have no medical training - just what we were told.

You are being sensible OP. My dad was an A and E Dr so I am always conscious of taking advantage of the system!
In your case I'd go.

I wouldn't but you have to trust your own instincts.
Kids get bumps all the time and our a&e usually has a four hour wait so I'd turn round and head home for a bit and observe. But if you've already rang 111 then you probably have to go or you'll have the police knocking on your door.

I wouldn't bother TBH

Fern A neurologist told me last year as DD fell asleep after a bump.* She was 8 years old at the time though, may be different for little ones. She was fast asleep too, neuro examined her pupils and she didn’t rouse.* Nobody seemed worried!

For what it’s worth, I’d want to get it checked out and have since tried to keep DD awake after bumps! It’s scary.**

Taking to A&E after a normal small knock, bit of a cry then toddling off is an overreaction. A hard fall in a swimming baths, where it's slippy and a trip can lead to a heavy fall even for not-clumsy-toddlers, is different, especially as he's had a hard knock, a big bump and is sleepy. I think you're doing the right thing.

I think Natasha Richardson's skiing injury is a good case in point; she did have a nasty fall that wasn't immediately showing symptons, and it was a horrible tragedy for her family. I do not for a minute think anything so awful has happened to the OP's son, but she's right to have him checked over just on the off chance, because of the sleepiness. Here's an article about what happened, if anyone's interested: people.com/celebrity/natasha-richardson-tragic-delays-after-her-fatal-fall/ - basic point is, even if you don't think it's that bad, don't mess around with head injuries.

No I wouldn't but equally I don't think it's a huge problem if you do.

We are home now and DS is asleep.

A&E were great and said we did the right thing.
Thanks for the replies.

The brain is a medium that has the consistency of blancmange if it's bleeding and clotting then the problem is that there's nowhere for any expansion in the skull and that's where the brain injury or damage can and does set in.

Yes toddlers do have bumps and scrapes but usually they arent capable of much more than toddling velocities more older children are capable of traveling faster hence the risk of damage.

If you child has had such a wallop or adult then either call 111 or take them to A&E No one there will criticize you for doing so and you might just prevent further injury.

If your not too squeamish roll this forward to 9:00 and you can see this demonstrated albeit on a larger scale but it does illustrate the problem.

DS was taken to hospital in an ambulance after a head bang.

He fell over an uneven pavement and smashed his forehead when he was about 2.5m.

Seemed fine but the next morning he wasn't right, seemed dazed / lethargic / confused. MIL is a nurse and she said to call an ambulance. A cycle ambulance came (we're central London) and was concerned enough to ask for an actual ambulance, who took us in for concussion.

Everything was fine, we were seen and discharged. Although that evening he puked spectacularly.... another classic concussion sign (but presented in a different way. A good 28h after his head bump). Was a one off puke, he was fine after.

Very odd experience!! But everyone was very supportive of us using the resources we did.

2y 5m. Not two and half months

Existential. Remember Natasha Richardson? There doesn't have to be height involved.

Ds3 was one more vomit from being taken for an MRI.
All he did was fall over at school and banged his forehead on the ground.

OP pleased your little one is ok

DH had a friend at school who fell and hit her head on an acrylic bath. She died in her sleep that night. I don’t hesitate with head blows. You’re right in getting him checked.

Glad your little one is ok.

Existential. Remember Natasha Richardson? There doesn't have to be height involved

Yes, if only from earlier in the thread.

and it was a very stupid comparison the first time.