Toddler falling- when to take to hospital

JillAly · July 2009

My son ran in front of a swing today on a playground (someone left the gate to the swing area open and my son is FAST!) . The little boy on it hit him with his feet as he moved forward and it knocked my son to the ground (he landed on rubber matting on his head). He cried hysterically for 1-2 minutes and then seemd fine. He ran around, ate lunch and is now playing. I figured he was fine. I don't even feel a bump on the back of his head (covered by hair so I couldn't see anything). He isn't tender to the touching of his head either.

But then 2 moms said to me- "natasha richardson- take him to get checked out". So now they have me paranoid.

It got me thinking though- at what point would you take your child to a doctor/hospital for a head injury?

A bump?
Bleeding?
Only if they acted differently?

marriedchick06 · July 2009

This happened to DD. She feel last week and hit her head on my parents hard wood floor. She cried for a few minutes but then when on about her day playing, eating and acting completely normal. But then we put her down for bed and after about an hour of sleep she woke up just crying non-stop and saying ouch. We decided to take her into the ER. I would rather be safe then sorry. (plus the Natasha Richardson came into my mind as well as we had a little boy here in town a couple years ago fall from his bike and then ended up dying later that evening from head injuries, even though the parents thought he was fine). BUT we obviously can't take them into the ER every time they fall, that would get expensive and the drs would probably think you were nuts, so I just usually use my mommy gut instinct.

E C · July 2009

Bleeding and/or altered behavior. It probably shocked him more than anything.

7/04Bride · July 2009

I'm not totally sure what I would do. If he's acting fine, he's probably okay. DH had a minor motorcycle accident last week and we were going back and forth on whether or not he should go to the hospital. He was wearing a helmet, but I'm pretty sure he had a minor concussion. He had a headache, then felt a little nauseous. If you're having any doubt, you should call your pedi. Better safe than sorry. For what it's worth, Natasha Richardson has come up a lot in conversation lately. I don't know the details, but I'd have to imagine she wasn't symptom-free, which would be why medical professionals were encouraging her to go to the hospital.

oct-wedding · July 2009

DS fell headfirst on a concrete pool deck his forehead on Saturday. The sun hat he was wearing saved him from any major abraisons. We watched him play for a bit and my (pediatrician) sister checked him out and he seemed OK, just really upset. Didn't take him to the ER but would have if there were any major bleeding or if he seemed like he was acting funny.

carolinaem · July 2009

I called my pedi after my dd fell onto the edge of the fireplace after crawling onto a table. I was told as long as there was no loss of consciousness, not vomiting, pupils were of equal dilation, no balance issues, or extra crankiness she should be fine. I would call your pedi before going to the hospital.

racegirl723 · July 2009

I was discussing this with one of my friends recently and decided I would take my DS to the doctor/ER if (1) he had altered behavior (including vomiting, lethargic, crying for a lengthy period, etc.), (2) he had some sort of visible contusion or bleeding or (3) if he began to act differently, complain of a headache, etc. later.

C Bear E · July 2009

I would just watch him carefully and if anything seems different from normal then I would take him in. The rubber mat probably cushioned him pretty well. You might call your pedi to ask what exactly to look for (how his eyes look, etc).

CAchica · July 2009

I use the acting differently rule or if anything was obviously serious (bleeding alot or broken/sprained bones). The thing toddlers have going for them is that their brains do not completely fill their craniums yet so when they get knocked it isn't the same as when an adult gets knocked.

It's so hard though so I totally get where you're coming from. I am so paranoid but trying really hard to not make my child spasy like me!

pea-kay · July 2009

when miles had a skull fracture at christmas last year, the ER docs said because he was acting fine, he was more than likely okay. they said something like 80% of it is neurological, so if he's acting fine, he probably is.

but still, it's hard to just say "don't worry about it", esp after the NR thing.

that said, my boys get a lot of head bumps, and i haven't taken them to the ER for any more of them. even with miles's skull fracture, there wasn't anything of concern about it, and nothing to be done.

sme14 · July 2009

Last weekend I called the oncall Pedi, because DD walked off of our footstool that is about 3 feet tall. I told her what happened, and that DD had a bit of a black eye (just at the corner of her eye where it meets the nose) and she seemed to calm down after a few minutes and was cranky. She told us to keep her up for two hours or so and watch for throwing up, dialated pupils and unusual behaviour. Otherwise don't worry about it and she will be fine. So I would keep an eye out for those symptoms and not worry about going to the ER.

JillAly · July 2009

I should have added that I come from a medical family so I tend to think everyone will be fine instead of rushing to the doctor when I probably should- it's how I ened up with a huge hernia. I waited a long time because I thought it would go away. So that's why I asked about how you all react in this situation.

It's good to hear the gut reaction of other moms and especially those whose kids had similar type falls. I'll keep watching him and make sure he doesn't act differently. He's refusing to go down for his nap- which it totally normal- so he is definitely acting the same as usual!

maz107 · July 2009

Calling the pedi couldn't hurt.

tmp-336341562506044 · July 2009

DS fell out if his crib (5 ft high onto hardwood floors) and we brought him to the ER because we didn't see how he fell. He was acting fine buri wanted to be better safe than sorry.

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