Concussion symptoms in children
A concussion is diagnosed based on signs and symptoms that can occur immediately after the injury or hours, possibly days, later. Each case is different, but if your child is suffering from a concussion they may present with one or more of the following symptoms. Having more than one physical symptom does not necessarily mean that the concussion is more severe.
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Double or blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
- Feeling dazed or stunned
- Feeling mentally “foggy”
- Trouble concentrating
- Trouble remembering
- Confused or forgetful about recent events
- Slow to answer questions
- Changes in mood—irritable, sad, emotional, nervous
- Drowsiness
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Trouble falling asleep
Concussion symptoms in younger children and infants
Young children and infants may not be able to tell parents or physicians how they feel, so it’s important to look for physical signs. In addition to the above, look for:
- Swelling of the scalp or soft spot
- Listlessness (child feels “floppy” in your arms and doesn’t play or grab objects)
- Crying more than usual and cannot be consoled
- Refusing to eat or nurse
- Changes in play or loss of interest in favorite activities
- Loss of new skills, such as walking or toilet training
The pediatric concussion clinic is a part of Children’s neuroscience program. Our concussion team works closely with professionals from many other fields, including neurology, rehabilitation, optometry and emergency medicine. At Children’s, you’ll have access to a vast network of professionals whose sole focus is healing kids and making life easier for their families.
Learn more about what you can expect when visiting the concussion clinic.