Brain and Spinal Column Injury

Children fall often. Often, they also hit their head. This can cause either brain injuries (for example concussions), or an injury of the spinal column. Fortunately, children rarely injure their spinal columns. Nevertheless, in the case of such an injury, the cervical spinal column tends to be the most affected site.

Symptoms are

Brain injuries

Altered states of consciousness / unconsciousness
Memory gaps
Nausea/vomiting

Injuries to the spinal column

Strong pain in the back / neck region
Altered sensitivity (tingling, numbness)
Signs of paralysis

First Aid Measures

Dial the emergency number 144 (get someone else to dial it)
Ask the child not to move
Apply manual inline stabilisation (neutral position on their back, sitting or standing; exception: prone position (if on their stomach))

Also Note

A special combination of brain and spinal column injury occurs during the shaken baby syndrome in infants or toddlers. Because of the disproportionate size of the head in relation to the body and the developing neck musculature, shaking violently and forcefully lashes the head back and forth, often resulting in life threatening injuries to a child.

Thus: Never ever shake a baby or a toddler!

If after an impact against the head a child presents an altered state of consciousness / or if the child starts vomiting, hospitalise immediately.

Advanced subjects

Dermatomes