• Let’s talk about concussion
    and your child’s risk for more serious injury such as bleeding in or around the brain.
    Concussion
    • Symptoms* may include headache, nausea, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating
    • Symptoms should resolve in several days to a few months
    • Recovery is almost always complete
    • Cannot be seen on a CT scan
    *This information may not apply to young children who are not yet able to walk or talk.

    Brain injury
    • Occurs when the head injury is severe enough to cause bleeding in or around the brain
    • May require medical intervention such as a stay in the hospital or surgical procedure



  • Let's visualize the risk
    In 100 children with minor head injury similar to your child’s, 1 will have brain injury and 99 will not
  • After monitoring your child in the emergency department for a period of time, we will find out if there is any serious bleeding in or around the brain with:
    Head CT scan
    You can have a head CT scan test done to determine if your child has had a brain injury.
    -OR-
    Observation at home
    If your child’s symptoms are the same or better in the next 1-2 days, then there was no serious bleeding in or around the brain.
    It is very unlikely, but if your child develops new or worsening symptoms* such as these, bring them back to the ED as soon as possible.
    Your child can maintain regular activities such as sleep.
    *Some symptoms may not apply to young children who are not yet able to walk or talk.



  • Select the issues that are most important to you and your child.
    SPEED OF DIAGNOSISRADIATIONSEDATIONCOSTPOTENTIAL DOWNSIDESWAIT IN ED
    HEAD CT SCAN
    		NowYesPossibleMay increase cost depending on your coverageMay find irrelevant things that lead to more testsTypically longer
    OBSERVATION
    AT HOME
    		DelayedNoNoNo added costPotential return to ED if symptoms worsenTypically shorter