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Children's health

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Is My Toddler Concussed?

15 replies

Anonymousmummmy · 20/06/2024 21:51

Hi All, I’m really concerned my son is concussed and I don’t know what to do. Hospital staff just sent us home and said it could be a sickness bug which I’m just not buying.

Yesterday at 16:30 he had a big bump to the forehead at nursery on the floor, swelled up straight away, now bruised.

  • Slept all night last night
  • 05:30 sick
  • Called 111 - sent to A&E
  • 06:20 sick
  • 07:15 sick
  • 08:00 fell asleep, woken about 45-mins later as doctor saw us
  • 09:00 sent home from hospital
  • 10:10 sick
  • 11:10 sick
  • 11:40 sick
  • 13:20-16:45 slept
  • 17:05 sick
  • 21:10 sick

Never in his whole life has he been this sick. And it’s not a little bit; every time he’s sick, it’s borderline projectile (TMI - sorry!) and a lot of volume. He’s sleeping more than usual, not eating normally, acting quieter than usual. I’m a little frustrated the doctor didn’t take it more seriously; she only looked at him playing for 2 mins to see his hand/eye coordination and then sent us home and said to give diluted apple juice if needed! But maybe I’m just being an overprotective mama?!

What should I do? I know if I call 111 again, they’ll just send us to hospital because they always do that with LOs. Wait until morning and call GP maybe? I don’t know - I don’t want to miss something more major here😕

OP posts:
GlamorousBadger · 20/06/2024 22:00

My 7 year old daughter was recently concussed after hitting the front of her head. The thing that made me think it was concussion initially was the projectile nature of the vomit. I see you mention this and really think you should call 111 again and get sent back to the hospital if needed. Ask for a second opinion.

With my daughter 111 and every doctor who called after (3!) were very attentive so I am surprised by the lack of concern you faced. My daughter was only sick once so they were happy for her to remain at home but said any further vomiting I must bring her to hospital immediately. You know your child best, if it doesn’t feel right insist on being seen by someone else. Good luck.

PoopingAllTheWay · 20/06/2024 22:01

Take him back - Tonight

fairymary87 · 20/06/2024 22:02

Go back to A&E because that's exactly what 111 will say and he's been sick so much, so needs another observation

Flowercurtains · 20/06/2024 22:02

I would back taking him back to A&E tonight

PoopingAllTheWay · 20/06/2024 22:02

Do not wait till morning

Take him back tonight and INSIST he is not himself

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 20/06/2024 22:03

Don't risk it. Go back to a&e. ASAP. Plenty of supplies, bottles of water, everything u need.
Agree with pp 111 waste of time as they'll send u to a&e

Kitkat1523 · 20/06/2024 22:10

Take him back

Tonkerbea · 20/06/2024 22:23

That doesn't sound right, I'd take him back.

TakeOnFlea · 20/06/2024 22:29

Nope. Go back and say he's not himself and he's projectile vomited after a head injury many times!

KidsDr · 20/06/2024 22:31

This is what NICE has to say:

"1.5.10 For people under 16 who have sustained a head injury, do a CT head scan within 1 hour of any of these risk factors being identified:

suspicion of non-accidental injury

post-traumatic seizure

on initial emergency department assessment, a GCS score of less than 14 or, for babies under 1 year, a GCS score (paediatric) of less than 15

at 2 hours after the injury, a GCS score of less than 15

suspected open or depressed skull fracture, or tense fontanelle

any sign of basal skull fracture (haemotympanum, 'panda' eyes, cerebrospinal fluid leakage from the ear or nose, Battle's sign)

focal neurological deficit

for babies under 1 year, a bruise, swelling or laceration of more than 5 cm on the head. [2023]

1.5.11 For people under 16 who have sustained a head injury and have more than 1 of these risk factors, do a CT head scan within 1 hour of the risk factors being identified:

loss of consciousness lasting more than 5 minutes (witnessed)

abnormal drowsiness

3 or more discrete episodes of vomiting

dangerous mechanism of injury (high-speed road traffic accident as a pedestrian, cyclist or vehicle occupant, fall from a height of more than 3 m, high-speed injury from a projectile or other object)

amnesia (anterograde or retrograde) lasting more than 5 minutes (it will not be possible to assess amnesia in children who are preverbal and is unlikely to be possible in children under 5)

any current bleeding or clotting disorder. [2023]

1.5.12 Observe people under 16 who have sustained a head injury but have only 1 of the risk factors in recommendation 1.5.11 for a minimum of 4 hours from the time of injury. If, during observation, any of the following risk factors are identified, do a CT head scan within 1 hour:

a GCS score of less than 15

further vomiting

a further episode of abnormal drowsiness.

If none of these risk factors occur during observation, use clinical judgement to determine whether a longer period of observation is needed. [2023]"

I would say he meets 3 X discrete episodes of vomiting followed by further vomiting = head CT. Hopefully he is absolutely fine but I think he does need further assessment in ED to consider a head CT. I would skip 111 as they will rightly instruct you to attend ED. Just go straight there.

(Genuinely do see lots of kids with head injuries and coincidental tummy bugs. However, best to have a cautious evidence based approach. I always think "what would I want for my child?")

Good luck x

fairymary87 · 21/06/2024 07:57

Heya, how's your toddler doing now?

Anonymousmummmy · 21/06/2024 18:02

Thank you all so much! Really appreciated all the replies. We’ve been to hospital again and thankfully, he’s stopped vomiting since lunchtime so they have put off doing a CT scan unless he’s sick again. So here’s hoping it doesn’t happen again!!♥️

OP posts:
sprigatito · 21/06/2024 18:04

Go back to A&E and tell them you think he's concussed. Unfortunately the state of the health service means that you really have to use your elbows to get appropriate attention - HCPs are doing their best, but they are overworked and underresouced, so things do commonly get missed.

sprigatito · 21/06/2024 18:06

Sorry I posted before I saw your update! Fingers crossed he's ok - if you're not happy with his condition, take him back and insist.

fairymary87 · 21/06/2024 23:39

This is amazing news! Hope he's still progressing to better health

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