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Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger - Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.

Step One

Step Two

Step Three


	Yes

Has your child had a head injury?


	Yes

Does your child have bleeding from the head or face after a head injury?


	Yes

Does your child have any signs of a skull fracture?


	Yes

Does your child have signs of severe pain?


	Yes

Has your child vomited after having a head injury?


	Yes

Do you think your child's head injury was caused by abuse or neglect?


	Yes

Does your child have symptoms of a concussion?


	Yes

Are you unsure whether your child lost consciousness, but there are no signs of a serious head injury now?


	Yes

Has your baby age 12 months or younger had a head injury?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Does your child have moderate bleeding after 10 minutes of direct pressure?


	Yes

Does your child have mild bleeding from the scalp after applying direct pressure 3 times for 10 minutes each time (30 minutes total), but bleeding does not stop?


	Yes

Are you not sure when your child had his or her last tetanus shot?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Does your child have clear or bloody fluid draining from the ears or nose after a head injury?Note: This clear or bloody drainage begins after a head injury and is not caused by a cut, direct blow to the nose, allergies, crying, or cold symptoms.


	Yes

Does your child have bruising or discoloration around the eyes or behind the ears after a head injury?


	Yes

Does your child have moderate to severe swelling on the face or scalp after a head injury?


	Yes

Did your child fall from a distance greater than his or her height?


	Yes

Does your child have facial drooping?


	Yes

Do you know or think your child has a fever?


	Yes

Does your child have bruising or discoloration on the scalp after a head injury?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Does your child have severe pain that continues longer than 20 minutes after a head injury?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Has your child had continuous, violent vomiting for 15 minutes or longer?


	Yes

Has your child vomited more than 3 times in 6 hours after a head injury?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you think a head injury was caused by someone trying to hurt your child?


	Yes

Do you think a child had a head injury because no one was taking care of or watching out for the child?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Has your child had changes in his or her behavior after a head injury?


	Yes

Has your child been unable to talk or had trouble talking after a head injury?


	Yes

Has your child been unusually sleepy, fussy, or irritable after a head injury?


	Yes

Has your child had unsteadiness after a head injury that makes it hard for him or her to stand or walk?


	Yes

Does your child have any symptoms that did not develop until 2 weeks after a head injury?


	Yes

Has your child had symptoms for longer than 2 weeks after a head injury?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: January 19, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.