Your brain controls every aspect of your body—from your ability to think to your ability to move your body, from your ability to speak to your ability to engage your senses. Depending upon the type, severity, and location of the injury, certain symptoms can indicate that the brain has been injured. It’s very important that if any of these symptoms—however mild—are noticed that you seek medical care for your child immediately. When brain tissue is injured it swells, and this can cause additional, secondary issues if it isn’t treated right away. If you think there’s even a possibility that your child has sustained a brain injury, see a doctor right away. Better safe than sorry.

If your child has recently been in an accident, experienced lack of oxygen for any reason, suffered from an illness, or been exposed to toxins, the following symptoms could indicate brain injury;

• Loss of consciousness
• Dilated pupils
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache
• Cognitive or memory issues
• Loss of balance; dizziness
• Problems concentrating or paying attention
• Sensory issues related to sight, hearing, or taste
• Seizures; convulsions
• Mood swings; agitation or aggressiveness
• Weakness in the limbs
• Lack of coordination or balance
• Slurred speech

Sometimes it can be difficult to notice symptoms in children, particularly young children, because their cognitive abilities aren’t developed to begin with, or because they can’t verbalize how they are feeling. In addition, some behaviors that are abnormal in teens and adults—such as the inability to pay attention or frequent temper tantrums—are perfectly normal in young kids.

Other symptoms associated with brain injury that may present in children include:

• Loss of appetite or lack of interest in food
• Lack of interest in toys, playmates, and activities
• Lethargy and listlessness
• Altered sleep patterns
• New issues at school, particularly issues related to performance