Pedemy All toolsTap your child’s age and any signs you see. You will know right away if your child needs the ER, a call to the doctor, or care at home.
This tool helps parents decide what to do after a child bumps their head. Tap your child’s age and any warning signs. The tool tells you whether to call 911, go to the ER, call your child’s doctor, or care for your child at home, and what to watch for over the next 24 hours.
The warning signs are based on the PECARN head injury research used in emergency rooms, the CDC HEADS UP danger signs, and American Academy of Pediatrics advice. They include passing out, not acting normal, vomiting more than once, a bad or worsening headache, a large bump on the side or back of a baby’s head, and a big fall or hard hit.
Most bumps on the head are minor. The tool also explains home care: a cold pack, pain medicine if needed, and that it is fine to let your child sleep while you check on them.
Go to the ER if your child passed out, isn’t acting normal, vomits more than once, has a bad or worsening headache, has trouble walking, talking or seeing, had a big fall or hard hit, or has a dent in the head or fluid from the nose or ears. Call 911 for a seizure, trouble breathing or if your child won’t wake up.
Yes. If your child is acting normally, it is OK to let them sleep. Check on them a few times: they should breathe normally, move as usual and wake up easily. If you can’t wake them, call 911.
Watch closely for 24 hours. Go to the ER if your child becomes hard to wake, vomits more than once, has a headache that gets worse, acts confused or strange, or has trouble walking, talking or seeing.
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