Spotting concussion signs in a baby or toddler after a crash
Guidance from a pediatric emergency physician
A baby can’t tell you their head hurts or that they feel dizzy. After a crash, the clues may be changes in how they feed, sleep, play and move. Watch how easily they settle down, too. Concussion symptoms can show up hours later. Tell your child’s doctor how your child was buckled in, where the vehicle was hit and whether your child struck anything. Describe how your child normally acts so a change is easier to catch. [1]
Notice what's different from normal
See whether your child nurses or eats as usual and follows you with their eyes. Check that they respond to voices they know, crawl or walk as they normally do and can be soothed. A toddler may turn unusually clumsy, withdrawn or cranky. These signs don’t prove a brain injury. Even so, they’re reason enough to call your child’s doctor after a crash. Any child who may have a concussion needs a medical exam. [1, 2]
Signs that need emergency care
Some signs mean you should call emergency services or go to an emergency department. They include a seizure, repeated vomiting or trouble waking up. Unusual confusion, coordination that’s getting worse or one pupil bigger than the other count too. An infant who won’t stop crying and can’t be comforted needs emergency care. So does one who won’t nurse or eat. Don’t wait for a bruise to appear. [1]
Keep track at home
Follow the discharge plan from your child’s doctor. Let your child sleep as usual unless you were told otherwise. Check on them now and then for a real change. Under stress, it’s hard to remember everything. Write down feeding, vomiting, sleep and behavior instead. Ask who to call overnight and which changes mean you should come straight back. [1, 2]
What to ask before you leave
- What signs should I watch for at my child’s age?
- When should feeding and behavior get back to normal?
- Which symptoms mean we need emergency care tonight?
Write down what normal looks like
Today, note how your child usually feeds and behaves. Then jot down any change you see. [1]
Sources and further reading
The guidance here is general and comes from pediatric emergency medicine. A doctor needs to examine your child and learn how the crash happened. Get emergency care if you see any danger sign.
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