What may increase your child's risk for a problem from a head injury?
Many conditions and diseases interfere with the ability to heal or fight infection. Your child may be at risk for a more serious problem from his or her symptoms if he or she has any of the following. Be sure to tell your child's health professional.
Conditions
- Babies younger than age 3 months
- Babies born prematurely. This risk continues until the child is 6 months older than when he or she was expected to be born.
- Previous brain surgery
- A previous head injury
- Alcohol or drug use by the child's caregiver
Diseases
- A brain tumor
- A seizure disorder, such as epilepsy, which may complicate the evaluation of a head injury
- Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: July 9, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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