Article Translations: (Spanish)
A head injury is a blow or trauma to the head. The signs of an injury may be found right after the injury, or they may develop anytime within 2 weeks afterward.
Bleeding disorders increase the risk of problems following a head injury. Bleeding in or around the brain can be life-threatening or result in permanent nerve damage. For this reason, any significant head, neck, or spine injury requires factor replacement right away, a CT scan, and evaluation by a health care professional.
Please note: though it is less likely that a child will have a head bleed while on factor prophylaxis, it is still possible and should be treated accordingly.
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Probable |
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Highly likely |
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Watch for the following neurologic (brain or spinal cord) changes:
If your child has NO neurologic changes:
If your child has ANY of the neurologic changes listed above:
Watch your child closely for any neurologic changes for the next few days. Wake your child every 3 hours during the night for the first 24 hours after the injury. If there are any neurologic changes, give the factor again and return to the emergency room right away.
Any significant head injury or history of a head bleed requires factor replacement and a CT scan.
Signs of head injury may be subtle. If your child does not look normal to you, or is not acting right, please contact us right away! These are some questions you may be asked by the nurse or doctor when you call:
Be sure to discuss with your hemophilia team which emergency department to use. Post this information by your phone, to be used if you need to call 911.
This is not specific to your child, but provides general information. If you have any questions about your child's condition, please call the Hematology/Oncology clinic.
Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
Patient/Family Education
2525 Chicago Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Last Reviewed Hematology 7/2015 ©Copyright
This page is not specific to your child, but provides general information on the topic above. If you have any questions, please call your clinic. For more reading material about this and other health topics, please call or visit Children's Minnesota Family Resource Center library, or visit www.childrensmn.org/educationmaterials.
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