Newark, NJ--According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), over 1,000,000 children in the United States will sustain mild to severe brain injuries this year. Every 11 minutes one child in this country has a brain injury, which will result in permanent disabilities, or 30,000 children per year.
“It is surprising what a small amount of force it takes for a child to sustain a traumatic brain injury,” says Dr. Misbah Salam, Division Director of Pediatric Neurology, Institute for Neurology at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. “Young patients who have suffered recurrent concussions are at risk of long-term health problems, including memory and cognitive impairment, depression, vertigo and earlier expression of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Dr. Salam relates that infants, because of their larger head to body ratio, have a higher frequency of head injuries. Their necks require support to avoid any excessive and sudden movements of the head, especially in the first four months of life. He adds that infants should ride in car seats facing backward with the child and seat safely secured.
A closed head injury occurs when the head receives a blow from a stiking object. An open head injury, which usually results from motion at high speed, occurs when an object breaks the skull and enters the brain. These brain injuries are caused when the brain, which floats in cerebral fluid, smashes against the wall of the skull from an impact.
Two types of head injuries are a concussion, the most common type of traumatic brain injury, and a contusion, which is a bruise on the brain. Repeated concussions can result in permanent injury to the brain.
Injury Prevention
Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In children who suffer falls, TBI is the primary cause of death and severe long term injury. The Consumer Product Safety Commission lists true-life examples on their website, including an 18-month-old who fell off a barstool and fractured his skull.
Making simple changes around the home and during activities can help prevent potentially fatal head injuries. The Institute of Neurology at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center offers these head injury prevention tips:
- Childproof your home to prevent household accidents. This includes: securing loose electrical cords, using safety gates, buying rugs with slip-resistant backing, installing night lights and keeping a flashlight near the bed.
- Have children wear appropriate headgear and safety equipment when biking, in-line skating, skateboarding, snowboarding or skiing, and playing contact sports. Wearing a bike helmet reduces the risk of concussion by about 85 percent.
- Make sure your child takes it easy after a head injury, especially a concussion, and doesn't play sports until the injury has healed. (If your child reinjures the brain while it is still healing, it will take even more time to heal.)
- Do not dress the child in clothing that can interfere with vision.
- Buy proper shoes with slip-resistant soles.
- Always use seat belts and child safety seats.
- Do not allow children to ride bikes at night and insist they obey traffic signals.
- Supervise children of any age.
About Children's Hospital of New Jersey
Children's Hospital of New Jersey, located at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and part of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, is the state's premier hospital caring for children, with specialized services to treat ill and injured children from newborn to adolescent years as well as preventive programs that promote wellness in the community. For a referral to a pediatrician or pediatric specialist, please call 1-888-724-7123.
DATE: September 16 , 2008
CONTACT: Beth Salamon, Public Relations (973) 322-4926
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