Every year millions of children sustain moderate brain injuries as a result of falls, automobile accidents, sports injuries, and recreational injuries, among other types of incidents.

A moderate brain injury is similar to a mild brain injury in terms of loss of consciousness and post-traumatic amnesia, and symptoms are also similar in scope. Symptoms may include headache, drowsiness and lethargy, nausea and vomiting, dilated pupils, and confusion. For the most part, symptoms are relatively mild.

If you believe your child has sustained any kind of brain injury—even if it’s mild and symptoms are relatively minimal—it’s important that you seek immediate medical treatment for your child. In many cases, despite the fact that symptoms are relatively mild, the size, location, and severity of the injury will indicate a more moderate brain injury. It’s important that the doctor assess the situation immediately to determine whether surgery is necessary, and to administer the necessary treatment to reduce swelling and the risk of further injury.

Like those who suffer from mild brain injury, children who suffer from moderate brain injury usually recover with few if any long-term effects. However, it is important to remember that brain injuries in children are extremely unpredictable—much more unpredictable than they are in adults. In rare cases children with moderate brain injury can suffer from long-term, life-altering symptoms. Timely diagnosis and treatment is key to ensuring that the long-term effects of brain injury are minimized.