Pediatric concussion related headache

What is a pediatric concussion related headache?

Head pain after a concussion occurs when the brain is injured due to a traumatic event that violently knocks the brain in the skull.

A child can develop a headache hours or days after a concussion. The injury can result in swelling, pools of blood or fluid, or aneurysms in the brain, or referred pain from a neck or back injury.

Most concussion-related head pain will pass within a week. Pain that lasts longer can be a symptom of a serious issue or a different type of headache, like a migraine or cluster headache.

What are the signs and symptoms of a pediatric concussion related headache?

The main symptom is head pain, but other concussion-related signs can include:

• Balance issues

• Confusion

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Irritability

• Nausea or vomiting

• Problems concentrating

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Sleep disruption

What are the causes of a pediatric concussion related headache?

Causes of a concussion-related headache can result from a fall, impact or other occurrences that shake the head.