Your child has been assessed in the Emergency Department after having a head injury and is safe to go home. Most children with a mild head injury recover quickly but it’s important to closely watch your child over the next week for signs of a more serious head injury.

Care at home

For the first 48 hours after a head injury, encourage your child to:

• rest (but keep their normal sleeping/waking routine)
• eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids
• avoid loud noise and digital screens/devices
• avoid activities that make symptoms worse.

Concussion

Some children experience concussion (short-term changes in brain function) after a mild head injury.

If your child has concussion, they may have some of these symptoms during recovery:

• mild headaches which go away with rest and pain medication
• mild dizziness
• feeling tired
• difficulty paying attention or remembering things
• behavioural changes including feeling emotional or moody.

These symptoms usually go away over time. See your GP if you’re concerned or if they persist.

Returning to school

Tell your child’s school or day care about the head injury. A gradual return to school or day care may help your child cope with any mental and physical tiredness. Some children may need special consideration for exams that happen soon after the head injury.

Returning to sport

Your child can start exercising after resting for a few days to allow their symptoms to settle. Your child should slowly return to sport starting with light training and build up over several days before returning to a full game. Your child should not return to competitive sports for 2 weeks after the injury.

When to seek help

Take your child to the nearest emergency department if they:

• have a bad headache, especially if it is getting worse despite pain relief
• are dizzy and/or unsteady when walking
• feel nauseous (like they need to vomit) or are vomiting repeatedly
• are unexpectedly sleepy or weak
• are confused or disoriented (they don’t know where they are)
• are slurring their speech (trouble speaking)
• have blurred/double vision
• have a seizure (fit or shaking uncontrollably)
• are crying continuously and not settling (babies) or irritable (angry or frustrated)
• are not feeding well (babies).

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

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.