What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion in Children?

A concussion is a transient, reversible loss of brain function that occurs immediately after injury, without the perceptible damage of the brain tissue structure. Although the time for loss of consciousness has been defined as "transient," the exact length of time still exists Controversial, some scholars believe that the loss of consciousness should last for a few seconds or minutes, and most believe that the loss of consciousness is within half an hour.

Basic Information

Visiting department: Pediatrics, Neurology
Multiple groups: Children

Common causes: Mostly caused by trauma such as a fall impact
Common symptoms: Transient loss of consciousness after trauma, persistent headache, vomiting, dizziness, mental stress, retrograde amnesia, etc. after awake

Causes of Pediatric Concussion

Mostly caused by trauma such as a fall impact.

Clinical manifestations of concussion in children

Children with concussion show transient loss of consciousness after trauma. Older children will have persistent headache, vomiting, dizziness, mental stress, retrograde amnesia and so on. In older children, their clinical manifestations are usually similar to adults. With a brief loss of consciousness, accompanied by decreased muscle tone and active tendon reflexes; when the lower brainstem function is inhibited, disturbances of vascular nerve center and autonomic nervous regulation can occur, manifested as slowed heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and pale A series of reactions such as cold sweats, apnea, and then weakness; some children may still have transient blindness, but for infants and young children, transient conscious disturbances may not be obvious, often only manifested as transient cyanosis after trauma and no response to external stimuli Later limb movement resumed, causing drowsiness, irritability, and vomiting. After infant concussion, although there may be no pathological changes, diffuse brain swelling may occur. In addition, neurological deterioration often occurs after injury, and delayed vomiting and drowsiness occur, which is the so-called "pediatric concussion syndrome".

Pediatric concussion test

Laboratory inspection

Lumbar puncture measurement of cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the normal range, cerebrospinal fluid without red, white blood cells and other abnormal changes. PET brain metabolism examination showed a significant increase in glucose utilization in the brain tissue, showing a high metabolic rate change. The micro-determination of neurotransmitters in the cerebrospinal fluid shows that the content of neurosuppressive transmitters such as glutamine is increased, and many enzyme systems affecting axon conduction or brain cell metabolism are also disordered.

2. X-ray examination of skull

No fracture was found on plain radiographs of patients with concussion.

3. EEG examination

Low or high amplitude fast waves can be seen. Dispersive waves and waves occasionally return to normal within 1 to 2 days.

4.CT inspection

Brain CT scans and enhancements were normal. Single photon emission tomography (SPECT) examination, most adolescent patients have reduced cerebellar and occipital lobe blood flow.

Pediatric concussion diagnosis

The diagnosis of concussion was mainly based on a history of trauma, transient loss of consciousness, retrograde amnesia, and absence of positive neurological signs.

Pediatric concussion complications

Severe symptoms can have headaches, epilepsy, memory loss and other sequelae.

Pediatric concussion treatment

Concussions do not require special treatment. Generally, they only need to rest in bed for 1 week, give symptomatic drugs for analgesia and sedation, improve autonomic nerve function, reduce external stimuli, and most patients return to normal within 2 weeks. The prognosis is good. For children with concussion, be sure to watch for 24 to 48 hours, closely observe changes in consciousness, pupils, limb movements and vital signs, and make necessary checks according to the condition to avoid missing other types of brain injury. Frequent vomiting requires intravenous fluid replacement to prevent dehydration and electrolyte disturbances in children. Sedatives should be chosen without affecting the observation of vital signs.