Head injuries can range from mild concussion to more severe injuries with skull fracture or bruising of the brain. It may or may not include a loss of consciousness. If your child has a mild head injury, make sure they get rest to help them recover. It’s important to know the signs of a more severe head injury so you can take action if you need to.

Contact sports should be avoided after the head injury until given clearance by your doctor.

Early on – when to seek help

If your child has suffered any head injury and develops any of the following, seek medical help immediately:

• headache
• dizziness
• nausea or vomiting
• drowsiness
• disorientation or confusion
• unsettled or continued crying
• unsteady walking
• slurred speech
• blurred or double vision

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

If you're not sure whether to go to an emergency department, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) and speak to a registered nurse.

Later on – what to expect

Notify your child’s school about the head injury and ask the teacher to monitor your child’s performance.

You or another adult (e.g. your child’s teacher) may notice some of the following changes during the weeks and months after a more serious head injury.

Physical

• clumsiness
• poor balance
• difficulty performing everyday activities
• reduced endurance levels
• Speech and language
• difficulty expressing themselves clearly
• problems understanding or following instructions
• difficulty socialising or interacting with peers

Memory and learning

• difficulties with new school work
• problems with concentration and memory
• slowness when thinking about new things
• difficulty with problem solving

Behaviour

• more demanding or easily frustrated
• getting upset more easily
• more fearful and anxious
• more easily tired or grumpy
• difficulties making or keeping friendships
• change in sleep patterns

The extent of these difficulties and how long they persist depends on the severity of the injury but will generally get better with time.

More information

Our Paediatric Rehabilitation Service is a specialist team that manages the rehabilitation of children with head injuries.

We can assess the child’s abilities and provide family support, school liaison and therapy for problems which may arise from the injury.

Developed by the Queensland Paediatric Rehabilitation Service, Queensland Children’s Hospital. We acknowledge the input of consumers and carers.

Resource ID: FS060. Reviewed: January 2016.

Disclaimer: This information has been produced by healthcare professionals as a guideline only and is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your child’s doctor or healthcare professionals. Information is updated regularly, so please check you are referring to the most recent version. Seek medical advice, as appropriate, for concerns regarding your child’s health.