Your child has been thoroughly examined for evidence of head injury and the doctor has determined that it is safe for your child to return home. Certain signs of trouble may appear within the next 48 hours. Please watch your child carefully for any of the signs listed below. Children can sleep at their regular naptime or bedtime. You should check them frequently when they are sleeping to see that they are breathing normally, their color is good, and they are able to awaken easily.

Call your doctor if your child has any of these following signs:

1. Progressively worsening headache


2. Persistent or progressively worsening vomiting


3. An unusual increase in the amount of time your child sleeps or if your child is difficult to awaken


4. Behavior change or confusion


5. Weakness or inability to move the arms or legs


6. Difficulty with walking ( stumbling or clumsiness)


7. Seizure activity ( jerking of arms or legs, eye rolling, drooling, or lip smacking)


8. Bleeding or clear water-like drainage from the ears or nose


9. Increased swelling of scalp, at the site of injury or a fullness of the fontanel (soft spot)


10. Visual changes, double vision, blurred vision or unequal pupil size (black circle seen in the center of the eye)

Post concussive syndrome may be seen after a head injury.

1. Headaches


2. Inattentiveness (short attention span)


3. Apathy


4. Decreased appetite


5. Dizziness


6. Poor memory


7. Difficulty in learning new information

These symptoms are usually self-limiting and disappear on their own in a few weeks. However, if you have questions or any concerns call your child’s doctor or the Pediatric Neurosurgery office.

If you have any concerns, questions or need further information, please contact the Pediatric Neurosurgery Offices at (714) 289-4151.