Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat a Concussion IsWhy They HappenSigns and SymptomsWhen to Seek CareTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What a Concussion Is
Why They Happen
Signs and Symptoms
When to Seek Care
Treatment
Prevention
Toddlers may be more likely than adults to suffer aconcussionafter a head injury but less able to communicate what they feel if they have one. That’s why it is important to know the signs of a concussion and to contact a healthcare provider if there is any loss of balance, change in behavior, or other symptoms consistent with atraumatic brain injury.
This includes delayed symptoms that can sometimes occur days after a blow to the head.
This article discusses the causes and signs of concussion in a toddler, including how head injuries are treated and prevented in smaller children.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
What Are Head Injuries and Concussions?
It is not uncommon for toddlers to trip and knock their heads, no matter how child-proof a space is. But a blow to the head doesn’t instantly mean that a child has a concussion even if it results in a bump on the head.
In severe cases, brain cells can be severely injured, causing symptoms that can last for weeks, particularly in children.
Thus, it is best to err on the side of caution if any blow to your child’s head seems serious.
Concussion vs. Brain HemorrhageIt’s important to note that a concussed brain does not bleed. In fact, a concussed brain can often look perfectly normal on an MRI or CT scan.A concussion is ultimately an injury that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain rather than one that causes abrain hemorrhage.
Concussion vs. Brain Hemorrhage
It’s important to note that a concussed brain does not bleed. In fact, a concussed brain can often look perfectly normal on an MRI or CT scan.A concussion is ultimately an injury that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain rather than one that causes abrain hemorrhage.
It’s important to note that a concussed brain does not bleed. In fact, a concussed brain can often look perfectly normal on an MRI or CT scan.
A concussion is ultimately an injury that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain rather than one that causes abrain hemorrhage.
Causes of Head Injuries and Concussions in Toddlers
When people think about concussions, they generally think about a severe blow to the head. But, it’s actually more complicated than that.
So, if there is a direct impact (such as a blow to the head) or an indirect impact (such as being roughly tackled), the brain can rotate or be propelled against the wall of the skull with such force that a concussion can occur.
Examples of direct and indirect impacts include:
In addition to affecting nerve transmission, a severe concussion can cause changes inintracranial pressure(pressure inside the skull) that affect blood circulation. This can causebrainischemia(inadequate blood flow in the brain), resulting in more severe and longer-lasting symptoms.
While the majority of concussion cases resolve within a week or two, severe concussions can take far longer to recover from.
Risk of Concussion in ChildrenThe risk of concussion in a toddler is generally higher than in adults because:Their skull is softer.Their neck muscles are not well-developed and are less able to support the head.They lack coordination and are at greater risk of uncontrolled falls.
Risk of Concussion in Children
The risk of concussion in a toddler is generally higher than in adults because:Their skull is softer.Their neck muscles are not well-developed and are less able to support the head.They lack coordination and are at greater risk of uncontrolled falls.
The risk of concussion in a toddler is generally higher than in adults because:
Common Signs of Concussion in Toddlers
When a child has a concussion, symptoms may develop immediately or be delayed and take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours to appear.
Possible symptoms of concussion in small children include:
Around one in every three people with a concussion experience post-concussion syndrome. This is when symptoms of concussion persist for four weeks or longer in children or more than two weeks in adults.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If your child has any of the following symptoms after a fall or blow the head, go to the emergency room right away:
Can a Concussion Cause Permanent Damage?According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, a single mild concussion should not cause permanent brain injury. However, a second concussion that occurs soon after the first does not have to be very strong to be permanently disabling.
Can a Concussion Cause Permanent Damage?
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, a single mild concussion should not cause permanent brain injury. However, a second concussion that occurs soon after the first does not have to be very strong to be permanently disabling.
Treatment for Head Injuries and Concussions in Toddlers
Children with a suspected concussion need a medical assessment to confirm the diagnosis and rule out more serious head injuries. If a concussion is confirmed, medical observation in a hospital for 24 to 48 hours may recommended, depending on how severe the head injury is.
Resting for 24 to 48 hours is important no matter your age but is especially important for toddlers to prevent them from falling and bumping their heads again. Resting for longer than 48 hours has been shown to increase recovery times.
The majority of children fully recover from a concussion, though care during the first 48 hours is crucial to recovering without incident or delay.
How to Prevent Head Injuries and Concussions in Toddlers
To help reduce the risk of head injuries and concussions in toddlers:
Summary
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Concussion basics.Mouzon BC, Bachmeier C, Ferro A, Ojo JO, Crynen G, Acker CM, et al.Chronic neuropathological and neurobehavioral changes in a repetitive mild traumatic brain injury model.Ann Neurol.2014;75(2):241–254. doi:10.1002/ana.24064Broshek DK, Pardini JE, Herring SA.Persisting symptoms after concussion: time for a paradigm shift.PM&R. 2022 Dec;14(12):1509–1513. doi:10.1002/pmrj.12884Zimmerman SD, Vernau BT, Meehan WP, Master CL.Sports-related concussions and the pediatric patient.Clinics Sports Med.2021 Jan;40(1):147–158. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2020.08.010American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Concussion.University of Michigan Medicine.Head injury, age 3 and younger.American Academy of Pediatrics.Concussions: what parents need to know.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Concussion basics.Mouzon BC, Bachmeier C, Ferro A, Ojo JO, Crynen G, Acker CM, et al.Chronic neuropathological and neurobehavioral changes in a repetitive mild traumatic brain injury model.Ann Neurol.2014;75(2):241–254. doi:10.1002/ana.24064Broshek DK, Pardini JE, Herring SA.Persisting symptoms after concussion: time for a paradigm shift.PM&R. 2022 Dec;14(12):1509–1513. doi:10.1002/pmrj.12884Zimmerman SD, Vernau BT, Meehan WP, Master CL.Sports-related concussions and the pediatric patient.Clinics Sports Med.2021 Jan;40(1):147–158. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2020.08.010American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Concussion.University of Michigan Medicine.Head injury, age 3 and younger.American Academy of Pediatrics.Concussions: what parents need to know.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Concussion basics.Mouzon BC, Bachmeier C, Ferro A, Ojo JO, Crynen G, Acker CM, et al.Chronic neuropathological and neurobehavioral changes in a repetitive mild traumatic brain injury model.Ann Neurol.2014;75(2):241–254. doi:10.1002/ana.24064Broshek DK, Pardini JE, Herring SA.Persisting symptoms after concussion: time for a paradigm shift.PM&R. 2022 Dec;14(12):1509–1513. doi:10.1002/pmrj.12884Zimmerman SD, Vernau BT, Meehan WP, Master CL.Sports-related concussions and the pediatric patient.Clinics Sports Med.2021 Jan;40(1):147–158. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2020.08.010American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Concussion.University of Michigan Medicine.Head injury, age 3 and younger.American Academy of Pediatrics.Concussions: what parents need to know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Concussion basics.
Mouzon BC, Bachmeier C, Ferro A, Ojo JO, Crynen G, Acker CM, et al.Chronic neuropathological and neurobehavioral changes in a repetitive mild traumatic brain injury model.Ann Neurol.2014;75(2):241–254. doi:10.1002/ana.24064
Broshek DK, Pardini JE, Herring SA.Persisting symptoms after concussion: time for a paradigm shift.PM&R. 2022 Dec;14(12):1509–1513. doi:10.1002/pmrj.12884
Zimmerman SD, Vernau BT, Meehan WP, Master CL.Sports-related concussions and the pediatric patient.Clinics Sports Med.2021 Jan;40(1):147–158. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2020.08.010
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Concussion.
University of Michigan Medicine.Head injury, age 3 and younger.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Concussions: what parents need to know.
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