A concussion can happen in an instant, whether your child takes a hard hit during a football game, falls off a bike or collides with another player on the soccer field. While most children recover fully, recognizing concussion symptoms in kids early and getting the right care is essential.
If you think your child may have a concussion, they should be evaluated by a health care provider as soon as possible. Make an appointment with their pediatrician, who may refer you to a sports medicine specialist for further treatment. If your child has severe or worsening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that affects how the brain functions. While the brain is cushioned by cerebrospinal fluid, a significant impact to the head or body can cause the brain to hit the inside of the skull, leading to a concussion.
Though often referred to as “mild” on the scale of traumatic injuries, concussions can have serious consequences if not properly managed, especially in young, developing brains.
Common causes of concussions in kids
Children and adolescents are particularly susceptible to concussions during activities such as:
- Contact sports
- Playground accidents
- Bicycle or scooter falls
- Car accidents
- Physical altercations or rough play
Many parents assume a child must lose consciousness to have a concussion, but that’s a common misconception. In fact, most children with a concussion never pass out. Because concussion symptoms are not always immediately obvious, it’s important to monitor your child closely after any significant head injury.
Concussion symptoms in kids
Kids might exhibit three kinds of concussion symptoms: physical, cognitive and emotional or behavioral. Signs and symptoms of a concussion can vary depending on the severity and may not develop immediately after the injury – sometimes hours, or even days, later.
Physical symptoms
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Balance problems
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
- Blurred or double vision
- Fatigue
- Feeling tired or sluggish
Cognitive symptoms
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble remembering information
- Feeling mentally “foggy”
- Slower thinking or reaction times
- Difficulty answering questions
Emotional and behavioral symptoms
- Irritability
- Mood changes
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Increased emotional sensitivity
- Personality changes
Sleep-related symptoms
Changes in sleep patterns may be a concussion sign parents notice more often.
- Sleeping more than usual
- Sleeping less than usual
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Excessive drowsiness
A child does not need to have all of these symptoms to have a concussion.
Concussion symptoms parents may notice by age
Some children, especially younger children, may struggle to describe how they feel. In these cases, parents, caregivers, coaches and teachers should watch for signs such as:
- Appearing dazed or stunned
- Acting confused
- Repeating questions
- Forgetting instructions
- Moving more slowly than usual
- Difficulty balancing or walking
- Changes in personality or behavior
- Crying more often than normal
- Losing interest in favorite activities
Signs of a concussion in babies and toddlers
Infants cannot tell you they have a headache or dizziness, while toddlers may struggle to find the words that express how they feel. Parents should look for symptoms such as:
- Excessive crying
- Increased irritability
- Difficulty being comforted
- Refusing to eat or drink
- Vomiting
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Loss of interest in toys or activities
- Trouble walking or balancing
Concussion symptoms in school-age children and teens
While they’re better able to express themselves, school-age children and teenagers may still struggle to identify the source of their symptoms and write them off.
Older children and teenagers are more likely to report:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Light or noise sensitivity
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Sleep problems
Diagnosing and treating concussion symptoms in kids
Concussions require careful evaluation and follow-up to ensure a safe recovery. Recognizing concussion symptoms is the first step to getting a diagnosis and starting treatment.
What should you do if you think your child has a concussion?
If you suspect a concussion:
- Remove your child from sports or physical activity immediately.
- Do not allow a same-day return to play.
- Monitor symptoms closely.
- Schedule an appointment with your pediatrician or a sports medicine specialist for evaluation.
- Follow all recovery recommendations.
Continuing to play or participate in strenuous activities after a concussion can increase the risk of further injury and may prolong recovery.
When to go to the emergency department
While it’s important to make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician or a sports medicine specialist if you notice any concussion symptoms in kids, some are more serious and require immediate attention.
Signs your child should go to the emergency department for a concussion:
- Repeatedly vomiting
- A severe or worsening headache
- Seizure
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness in any part of the body
- Increasing confusions
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Loss of consciousness, even briefly, or if you can’t wake your child
Can concussion symptoms show up later?
Yes. A child may appear fine immediately after an injury but develop symptoms hours or days later.
Delayed concussion symptoms can include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood changes
- Memory problems
- Increased sensitivity to light or noise
Contact your child’s pediatrician if new symptoms develop after a head injury, even if your child initially seemed well.
How long does concussion recovery take for kids?
Most children recover within two to four weeks, though every recovery is different. During the first 24 to 48 hours, children should limit activities that significantly worsen symptoms while gradually returning to normal routines as tolerated.
Helpful recovery strategies include:
- Avoiding activities that could cause another head injury
- Getting adequate sleep
- Staying hydrated
- Eating regular meals
- Taking breaks when symptoms worsen
- Following medical guidance from their provider
Some factors may contribute to a longer recovery, including:
- Previous concussions
- Migraine disorders
- ADHD
- Learning disabilities
- Anxiety or depression
It’s important not to rush concussion recovery. Doing so raises their risk of worsening their condition or suffering from another concussion, which can lead to long-term effects. Your child’s brain needs time to heal completely after this injury before returning to their regular routine.
When can a child return to school and sports?
Many children can return to school within one to two days, even if mild symptoms remain. Some students may benefit from temporary accommodations such as reduced homework, extra time on assignments or rest breaks during the school day.
Your child should never return to sports on the same day as a suspected concussion. Before returning to athletic activities, they should be evaluated by a health care provider, show significant symptom improvement and complete a gradual return-to-play plan.
How we can help
Concussions in kids are not uncommon. If you notice any concussion symptoms in kids, even if you didn’t witness the injury, it’s best to have them evaluated by a provider.
You can make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician or a spots medicine specialist for a mild concussion, but serious symptoms that indicate a more severe concussion should be handled in the emergency department as soon as possible.
Learn more about the primary care services and sports medicine services we provide at Bon Secours.
