[s7eve]

Last night my 5 year old son fell out of bed. I knew it was him because the thump was so hard and he sleeps on the top bunk, he was whimpering when I first came to him but he soon stopped. I examined him and asked him some questions, there was no signs of impact on his head, when I asked him where he hit his head he indicated the area between his eyebrows, he assured me he was o.k and that his head did not hurt also he told me that he did not fall from his bed and that he was actually in his brothers bed which is the lower bed. I wanted to believe this but we tucked him into his bed last night and the thud was way to loud for a fall from that height.

This morning he informed me that he actually fell from his bed however he seemed fine and reported no complaints. A few hours ago he told me that his head hurts a little, I asked him where and he indicated the top front left side of his head. I asked him some more questions and examined him and there seemed to be no other symptoms so I thought I should just monitor him and see if anything changes. Well about half an hour ago he vomited so now I am starting to worry. I have checked him again everything else about him seems fine except that I noticed he has a black eye, it is the right side and it is barely noticeable unless you examine the area closely.

Because he vomited I thought I should eliminate what he has eaten today as a cause, when my wife and I were discussing what he had eaten he informed me that he and his brother had some apple muffin bars that my Dad brought up with him when he was here, I did not even know we had them, when I checked the packet I noticed the used by date was may last year so this could be another cause of the vomiting but his brother also ate one and is feeling fine.

We live 1.5 hours from the nearest public hospital and I am unsure if they will just send us home until things get worse. I am looking for some advice as to whether I should follow my gut and take him (I'm 50/50) and what type of care he is likely to receive (if they are likely to run tests at this stage) or if he is likely to be turned away until things get worse (which seems to be the norm for public health care, they did it to me when I was a teen).

I have just asked him about pain and he now says that the is no pain anywhere at all.

So should I take him now or is he likely to get turned away and should I wait to see if his condition changes?

It has now been 14 hours since he fell.

[Chris]

Certainly not a doctor, but I found this which sounds like good news:

Head Injuries

Many children will vomit once or twice after head trauma. If the vomiting is persistent, the child must be evaluated.

If it's just once, apparently it's normal. I'd still go get him checked out though, because if he does have a concussion you want to stay right on top of it.

Edit: Poor little guy, btw.

[furyinternal]

First, I am sorry that this happened to your son.

Second, my wife is an EMT and she said that the signs you explained are indicative of a concussion. She recommends taking him to the hospital and having them run x-rays to check for brain-swelling or broken/cracked bones in his face. Concussions can be very serious if left unattended.

I apologize if this is not what you wanted to hear, but I thought it best to just "lay it out".

Good luck.

[s7eve]

Thanks to both of you.

[s7eve]

Update:

Just before my last post I had rang the local doctor asking the same that I asked here and was told to bring him in immediately. We just returned.

The doctor examined him, he checked his reflexes, his pupils, the normal concussion stuff and reported that he is displaying no neurological abnormalities. I asked the doctor if I should take him to the hospital and he said no. He said the first 24 hours are critical and that I must continue to monitor him he said if he shows any more symptoms to take him to the hospital immediately, but he said not to go yet because they would do nothing now, he said this is because the Queensland health guidelines do not allow CT scans on children unless they are displaying neurological abnormalities as they can be a risk to their health.

So I am relieved to know that at this time he is displaying no issues, now it is just a waiting game to make sure that he is O.K.

Thanks again guys, I can't give you any more rep at the moment Derek but I will try to remember to get you later. Edit:rep given.

[Jason]

Glad you got this sorted Poor lil fella.. I fell out of my bunk bed when i was a kid..my sister too she fell right ontop of my tv

[s7eve]

Thanks Jason.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by s7eve

Thanks Jason.

Kids are tough lil buggers. I'm confident he'll be fine

[amonb]

Glad he looks ok

[guitarplayerone]

Originally Posted by furyinternal

First, I am sorry that this happened to your son.

Second, my wife is an EMT and she said that the signs you explained are indicative of a concussion. She recommends taking him to the hospital and having them run x-rays to check for brain-swelling or broken/cracked bones in his face. Concussions can be very serious if left unattended.

I apologize if this is not what you wanted to hear, but I thought it best to just "lay it out".

Good luck.

Sorry to hear about the little dude. Take him asap, best not to take chances, even if it turns out to be nothing....

She is absolutely right though. Additionally, check with some light source (even a regular flashlight will do) to make sure that his pupils are both the same size, as this is a dead giveaway.

Alsp not a doctor, but Im premed/first aid certified.