• Knowledgebase: The One Minute Pediatrician

    These are short topics that Dr. Dennis wrote for use on the radio. Each topic reads in less than one minute!

    17. Head Injuries - Top

    Because of the weight and size predominance of a child's head they tend to go "head first" into many injuries. Because the head has no padding, any injury usually results in either free bleeding, or the formation of a "pump knot". The size or speed of development of a "pump knot" does not relate to the seriousness of a head injury. Bleeding is controlled by pressure applied to the cut for 5 to 15 minutes.

    Any loss of consciousness resulting from a head blow is significant and should be evaluated. Other things to watch for are excessive drowsiness, unequal pupils, vomiting repeatedly, severe headaches, loss of memory and unusual behavior. If any of these symptoms are present, the child should be evaluated by a physician.

    The main concern with head injuries is not what happens outside the head but what injury the brain sustains inside the head. Fortunately, children have very hard heads. But, if there is any concern after a blow to the head contact your physician. - Updated: June 5, 2001

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