Infant and Toddler
Concussion Guide
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of brain
Signs & Symptoms injury caused by a hard bump
Concussion can be harder to spot in babies & young children. or hit to the head, or a blow to
Important symptoms to look out for after a head injury are another part of the body that
changes in their normal behavior after a head injury, such as:
forcefully shakes the head.
RED FLAG SIGNS – CONTACT YOUR PROVIDER OR CALL 911 When this impact is powerful
enough to cause the brain to
§ Large bump, bruise, or swelling on the head
§ Blood or clear fluid from ears or nose move inside the skull, a
§ Repetitive motions that look like seizures or eyes to one side concussion may occur.
§ Unable to console or calm
§ Unable to wake up
§ Persistent vomiting
§ Worsening symptoms
MOOD SLEEP
§ Irritability or excessive crying § Sleeping changes
§ Difficult to calm or console § Sleeping more or less
§ Behavior changes § Drowsiness
§ Loss of interest in their favorite activities § Difficulty sleeping
§ Looking like they are daydreaming or “not there”
§ Changes in mood—irritable, sad, emotional, nervous
THINKING
PHYSICAL
§ Trouble concentrating
§ Crying when you move the baby’s head
§ Confused or cannot
§ Saying their head hurts or holding head & making a face
remember recent events
§ Dizziness or more stumbling when walking – unable to go
§ Slow to answer questions
smoothly from position they were previously able to (ie.
Rolling, pulling to stand, sit to stand)
§ Sensitivity to light, sound, noise, touch, movement
§ Refusing to nurse or eat/drink
WHEN TO CALL 911
Go to the Emergency Room if you are worried and/or if your child is showing
worsening symptoms, will not stop crying, complaining of or appearing to have
head pain, vomiting, increased confusion, seizures or “having a fit”, blood or
fluid from ears or nose, difficulty staying awake or answering simple
questions—or if you think your child’s neck was injured.
What to Do
(Early On)
• Children may not show symptoms until hours or days after the injury. Have your child avoid play
that is too active or rough until your doctor says it is safe.
• Your child’s nervous system is still developing. Symptoms of their head injury may show up weeks or
even months later. It’s important to find a care provider who knows about child development.
• Give the brain time to heal with both mental and physical rest. Keep your child calm and limit TV and
screen time.
• Call your child’s healthcare provider to tell them about the injury to your child’s head and find out
signs to watch out for. Your child should be monitored for symptoms for at least 2-3 weeks.
• If possible, keep your child home with you for 48 hours or more before returning to school or daycare.
Extra supervision after a concussion is very important!
• Do not use ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for the first 48 hours. Ibuprofen should never be used in
babies under 6 months. You may use acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help with pain if approved by your
child’s healthcare provider.
• Your child may be tired and need more sleep, especially the first few days. If your child can’t be
woken up, call 911 immediately.
• Keep the normal sleep/nap schedule.
• Make sure your child drinks enough water and eats healthy foods to encourage brain healing.
• Your child should play quietly for at least the first 24 hours with NO highly active play (e.g., NO running,
fast action, rough play, running or jarring motions, scooters or bikes). A second concussion while the
brain is healing can be very dangerous.
Preventing Head Injuries
NEVER Your child Make your home
Children should place your baby in a car should ALWAYS wear a safe with outlet protectors,
play in safe spaces while seat or a baby swing on a helmet and other window guards, gun locks,
actively supervised by a countertop or table protective gear during and other safety items.
responsible adult. • activities. •
• Children must ALWAYS be • Move furniture away from
NEVER leave your baby in the correct car seat for NEVER leave your child windows that children can
unattended on surfaces their size and age when in alone or with siblings in a fall through. Keep in mind
(eg. Changing table, the car, even for short bath or pool area, even that a window screen will
countertop) trips! for a few seconds! not prevent a fall.
(877) UC-CHILD
https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/ (877) 822-4453
