Head injury question

[Bumponhead]

Hi,

Dd (aged 4) fell off a wall a week ago (just a bit smaller than her height) and landed on her head then rolled onto her back. She cried immediately and I picked her up, put ice pack on it etc and calmed her down. She had a big lump and grazed the skin (not bleeding). She calmed down, wasn't sick, showed no signs of being dizzy, confused, sleepy etc. I gave her some calprufen and kept an eye on her like a halk. I didn't take her to a&e as I had been before when she was a baby and hit her head on a table and they just asked me all the questions about sick, drowsiness etc so I thought I would just keep an eye out for those signs and take her at the first sign.
She has been absolutely fine since then, still has a bit of a hard lump and bruise but hasn't complained of a headache etc.
Trouble is as the week has gone on I'm becoming more and more anxious about it. Imagining an internal brain bleed or something. This morning she woke early complaining of being cold and having sore legs. She then slept in and has been a bit quiet and slow this morning. I sent her into nursery and told them to keep an eye but now I'm panicking that she's got something related to the head injury.

So in a very long winded account - shall I take her to the doctor just to put my mind at ease or is that a waste of everyone's time? Is it even possible to become ill such a long time after an injury if no symptoms at the time?

Thanks

Hi,

You sound very worried and I have worried about the same things when my dd (3) has had head bumps too. The symptoms you describe do not sound linked to a head injury but I know how it feels to notice everything when you are worried.

There is no harm in taking her to the doctors for a check up if you are concerned. This will probably put your mind at rest. I am no doctor but I have done a lot of research on head injuries and it is unlikely that your child has a serious injury from what you describe. However, I also know how the worry can consume you. I am the type of person who would rather get any big head bump checked out, so talking to a doctor is likely to help with your anxiety.

Thanks for your reply. I was very anxious about it yesterday (maybe it's the pregnancy hormones!) but she came home from nursery absolutely fine so I will just continue to keep an eye on her and make sure I take her to the doctors at any sign of anything abnormal. I think if anything ever happens again in the future I shall remember that it's always better to just get it checked at the time as I'll only worry otherwise!