Brain Injuries
Sadly, approximately 100,000 children wind up in the hospital every year for head and brain injuries due to falls, sports injuries, bike accidents, car accidents, child abuse, and more. Medical professionals used to believe that children suffering from brain injuries were more resilient in recovery because their brains would “rewire” over time. However, mounting evidence seems to indicate that children could be even more susceptible than adults to permanent brain damage. Therefore, it’s important to have your child examined as quickly as possible after a head injury occurs, even if your child appears to be fine.
Types of brain injuries we treat include:
- Skull fractures – Although these types of injuries typically heal on their own, they need to be observed and monitored.
- Hemorrhages – Also known as hematomas, hemorrhages may require surgery, depending on where the bleeding occurs.
- Traumatic brain injuries – These are the result of a blow to the head and may not be apparent immediately. There are several types of TBIs, beginning with concussions and going to the more severe kinds of injuries that cause permanent brain damage.
Treatment Options
The pediatric neurosurgeons at Brain & Spine Surgeons of New York provide comprehensive and compassionate care to children and adolescents who have suffered a brain injury.
Treatment for your child’s brain injury depends on the type of injury your child has. Options could include:
- Surgery to repair breaks and/or bleeding
- Drain or shunt placement to reduce pressure
- Prescribing medications to prevent and/or control seizures, muscle spasms, blood clots
