Brain Injuries

WHAT ARE PEDIATRIC BRAIN INJURIES?

Approximately 100,000 children end up in the hospital every year for head and brain injuries due to falls, sports injuries, bike accidents, car accidents, child abuse, and more. Medical professionals used to believe that children suffering from brain injuries were more resilient in recovery because their brains would “rewire” over time.

However, mounting evidence seems to indicate that children could be even more susceptible than adults to permanent brain damage. Therefore, it’s important to have your child examined as quickly as possible after a head injury occurs, even if your child appears to be fine.

Types of brain injuries we treat include:

Skull fractures – Although these types of injuries typically heal on their own, they need to be observed and monitored.
Hemorrhages – Also known as hematomas, hemorrhages may require surgery, depending on where the bleeding occurs.
Traumatic brain injuries – These are the result of a blow to the head and may not be apparent immediately. There are several types of TBIs, beginning with concussions and going to the more severe kinds of injuries that cause permanent brain damage.

Symptoms

Symptoms of brain injuries vary, depending on the location and extent of injury to the brain, as well as the age of the child at which the injury occurred. However, some general symptoms can include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

Dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance
Fatigue
Headaches
Loss of consciousness
Nausea and/or vomiting
Pain
Seizures
Changes in bowel and bladder function
Impaired movement or coordination
Reduced muscle strength or paralysis
Loss of hearing, hypersensitivity to sound, or tinnitus
Vision changes

Treatment

The pediatric neurosurgeons at BSSNY provide comprehensive and compassionate care to children and adolescents who have suffered a brain injury.

Treatment for your child’s brain injury depends on the type of injury your child has. Options could include:

Surgery to repair breaks and/or bleeding
Drain or shunt placement to reduce pressure
Prescribing medications to prevent and/or control seizures, muscle spasms, blood clots