An infant’s brain is still developing and is particularly vulnerable to injury, meaning babies can get concussions. Though often associated with older children or adults in sports, babies are susceptible due to their unique physical characteristics and common accidents. Recognizing the signs of a concussion in an infant is important for parents to ensure prompt and appropriate care.
Understanding Concussions in Babies
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head or body that makes the brain move rapidly inside the skull. This movement can damage brain cells and temporarily disrupt normal brain function. Infant brains are especially vulnerable because they are softer and still developing, and their heads are proportionally larger. This makes babies top-heavy and prone to head-first falls as they learn to move. Their neck muscles are also not fully developed, offering less head control.
Common head injury mechanisms include falls from elevated surfaces such as changing tables or beds. Impacts with hard objects, like furniture corners or toys, can also cause head trauma. Motor vehicle accidents can also result in concussions, even when a baby is properly restrained, due to the forces involved. Abusive head trauma, often referred to as shaken baby syndrome, is a severe form of physical child abuse that causes significant brain injury when an infant is violently shaken, leading the brain to repeatedly strike the inside of the skull.
Recognizing Signs of a Concussion
Recognizing a concussion in infants is challenging because they cannot verbalize symptoms. Signs can be subtle and differ from those seen in older children or adults. Parents should look for changes in their baby’s normal behavior after a head injury. These changes might not appear immediately, sometimes developing hours or even days later.
Behavioral signs can include persistent crying that is difficult to console or unusual fussiness. Infants might become more irritable, lethargic, or show a decreased responsiveness to stimuli like light or sound. Changes in eating or sleeping patterns are also important indicators, such as a loss of appetite, difficulty feeding, or sleeping significantly more or less than usual.
Physical symptoms to observe include:
Repeated vomiting.
A noticeable bump or large bruise on the head.
Crying when their head is moved.
A bulging soft spot (fontanelle) on the head, especially when the baby is not crying.
Changes in movement or coordination, such as difficulty with balance, seizures, or a brief loss of consciousness.
When to Seek Medical Attention and What to Expect
Any head injury in an infant, regardless of how minor it appears, warrants immediate medical evaluation. Even if the baby seems fine initially, professional assessment is crucial. Contact your pediatrician or seek emergency medical care as soon as possible after an injury.
During a medical visit, healthcare professionals will perform a physical examination and a neurological assessment to evaluate the baby’s alertness and responsiveness. They will ask about the incident, including how the injury occurred and any changes observed in the baby’s behavior, feeding, or sleep patterns.
Depending on the assessment, imaging tests such as a CT (Computed Tomography) scan or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) might be considered. While CT scans are effective for detecting skull fractures or internal bleeding, they are not always necessary for a concussion itself, as concussions involve temporary functional disruption rather than structural damage visible on these scans. Doctors weigh the benefits of imaging against the risks of radiation exposure, especially in young children whose brains are still developing. If a CT scan is performed, it is usually done to rule out more severe injuries like bleeding or swelling. Initial management often involves close monitoring of the baby’s condition and ensuring adequate rest to aid brain recovery.
Preventive Measures
Preventing head injuries in babies is important. Childproofing the home is a primary measure, including:
Installing safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
Securing heavy furniture, such as dressers, to the wall to prevent tip-overs.
Using window guards on all openable windows.
Removing tripping hazards and using non-slip mats in bathtubs.
Proper use of car seats is essential for preventing head injuries during travel. Babies should always be properly buckled into an age- and weight-appropriate car seat that is correctly installed rear-facing in the back seat, away from active airbags. Close supervision is necessary, especially when babies are on elevated surfaces like changing tables or beds, with a hand always kept on the child. Avoiding activities that could lead to head trauma, such such as rough play or shaking a baby, is crucial. Understanding that crying is normal for infants and having coping strategies for caregiver frustration can help prevent abusive head trauma.