My 3 month old baby and I fell down the stairs. I am worried about my baby's head injury...

Question

We fell down the stairs and I broke my arm badly. I had an operation. The baby was discharged from hospital the same day without having a CT or MRI scan. He doesn't have any symptoms. He cried a lot after the fall, his head at the back had gone flat and he was I think a bit drowsy, closing his eyes, maybe falling asleep.He was ok an hour later. I am worried he might have internal bleeding and symptoms could appear later. Is this possible or would we know by now? It's been 72 hours since the fall. He fell on his back next to me and I saw his head landing on the carpet. I don't think he hit the banister. Do I need to worry and go for a private scan? They said it would be better to avoid the scan.

Answer 1

if you are still concerned get back to the hospital and have him examined again its not worth the risk .

Answer 2

The hospital should have done some kind of test on your son to make sure that he didn't have any injurys!!

He is only 3 months old and there bones are very fragile aswell as the spot on the skull that hasn't closed up yet...it would have been very easy for him to have sustained an injury and i would deffinatly pay for a private scan if the hospital wont do it for you!! this is your baby's health your talking about, its better to be safe an go for the scan than leave it a few days and find out he does have internal bleeding or something that could have been treated days ago..if it was me i would have refused to leave until they checked my bub.

Answer 3

By the sound of it, YOU fell down the stairs, and baby only fell out of your arms and rolld the last few feet on his own.

If he'd fallen on the soft spot, he would have received a brain injury which would have shown immediate symptoms.

In any case you saw him land on his back, and the back of his head. If he had any internal bleeding, BECAUSE the bones are not fully joined yet, the bleeding would easily come to the surface, and be immediately visible. It could not cause the pressure and swelling that is the main source of problems with head injuries in older persons.

The hospital would have done a scan had they thought it necessary.

Answer 4

I would watch him very closely. If the Drs said its better not to have one I would take their advise. But, if I thought anything was wrong, I would go back. Dont chance it. Good luck to both of you! Hope you heal and get better soon!  

Answer 5

if your imstincts tell you somethings wrong dont ignore them.  

Answer 6

Not to worry you more than necessary, but personally, I'd have him checked for a subdural hematoma if he reacted as you say.

The fact that he had no 'bump' on his head would worry me- if it's not swelling outward, it just may be swelling inward.

It can take several days for obvious effects.  

Answer 7

My friend fell down the stairs with her baby when Bub was a few months old. My friend had no major injuries, but they called an ambulance for Bub, who hadn't cried, but had become drowsy and still. The ambulance arrived and checked her thoroughly. They said that her drowsiness was a sign of shock and her body shutting down temporarily to cope with the effects of the fall. Within an hour or so, Bub was acting normally and the ambulance officers assured them that she was fine. They explained that, while babies look fragile, their soft bones make them quite resilient. They said there was no real point in taking Bub to hospital as she would just be monitored for a few hours before being discharged. In case there was a problem, they were told what signs to look out for - I think vomiting, loss of consciousness and other similarly obvious signs.

My friend kept a close eye on Bub for a couple of days, but there were no signs of injury. She is now a very happy and healthy 5 year old.

I think the hospital didn't do the scans because any problems would have clear symptoms and they can only perform those scans on babies under general anaesthetic (it's the only way to keep them still). Anaesthetics are very risky for young babies and will only be performed if they are absolutely necessary.

Watch your son closely and go back to the hospital if you notice any unusual behaviour. Otherwise hold him close and be thankful that he is safe.

Answer 8

Honeyt please go and get it checked, if any baby feels drowsy u shud go to the hospital, dont wait another minute. Better check it out or else ull never forgiive ur self if sumthing was to happen to him, PLEASE PLEASE GO NOW, he is only 3 months, if u broke ur arm it must have been a heavy fall.  

Answer 9

lets face it..this is not really a question for this place..its a question for your doctor!

after 3 days..I wouldnt be concerned unless symptoms were showing

next time..instead of asking yahoo users such a serious questions..can I suggest you ask your doctor. hes the one with the medical training! Your baby is too important to be sitting on ya *** asking questions like this to people that may or may not know. I dont mean to sound harsh..but this is your kid we are talking about..not how to get a red wine stain out of white shagpile carpet!

Answer 10

Oh !

Please get it checked out!

If something is wrong, please catch it now!

Babies are pretty resiliant, and perhaps he would have had symptoms by now.

Perhaps not.

Check it out.

What's the worst that could happen?

A scared mommy comes back to the ER after a fall. The baby had been released already, but this new mommy is terrified that the docs have missed something.

Do you think that they'll laugh at you or something?

h**l no.

EVERY good mother has panicked over her child at one time or another.

My son got choked on MILK once when he was a newborn.

I FREAKED and rushed him to the ER. I was shaking so bad, I could barely hold him in my arms.He was perfectly fine, pink-faced and sleeping when we got there.

I felt like an idiot, but EVERYBODY understood!

Please get it checked out!! Just in case!

Answer 11

honestly i'm thinking at 72 hours after a fall if there was internal bleeding you would have noticed severe symptoms before now, if you are still concerned bring him in to your doctor or the hospital... someone with a medical background would be best to evaluate your son's conditions than ANYONE here

Answer 12

i'm suprised the hospital didn't do anything else to check that bub was alright, if i were you i would go take bub somewhere else and get him checked properly don't leave it any longer book now

Answer 13

he was I think a bit drowsy, closing his eyes, maybe falling asleep.

those are signs of a concussion get him checked

Answer 14

Dont accept just one doctors opinion, get a scan, keep asking questions till someone actually listens, sounds like they cant be bothered to do the tests, you sound concerned so act, dont wait for anyones advice, you understand your son more than they do, keep hitting the doctors until somebody acts on your concerns, threaten to sue them is you have to, mothers instincts are not to be ignored! :)

Answer 15

I can understand your concerns. I had a child in a walker fall down a flight of steps and land on her head. We took her to the ER and she was crying and she vomited. They said that vomiting was a bad sign but in her case, she vomited b/c she was crying so hard. They told me that the first 24 hrs were the most critical for keeping a watch for any signs or symptoms.

It would not hurt to go for a second opinion. If it would keep you from worrying, it is worth the money and time. And you can be reassured that your baby is fine. And if there is a problem, you will know you did the right thing by following your intuition.

Also, prayer to God will help give you peace about things. Pray for complete healing for your little one and for your arm. Pray for peace.

Answer 16

Youve got to be kidding me. They do ct scans on babys all of the time. Did you really take him? If you did and i dont think you did why hasnt children services talked to you? I am a nurse they would have kept that baby over night to make sure he was okay!!!!!