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Skull Fracture
To fracture a child's skull takes intense pressure, however some children skulls may be weak, this may be due to the skull not being fully developed or a previous injury has weakened the skull.
Types of fractures of the skull
There are a number of fractures to identify, a hair line fracture may be difficult to identify compared to a open fracture, where bone and membrane may be exposed.
The cheekbone and jaw bone also form part
of the skull and have to be carefully treated
to prevent further damage.
Broken Nose
A broken nose can be extremely painful. The nose may bleed. Do not attempt to pinch the nose, instead use a cold flannel and allow the child to hold it on their nose. Remember the nose is a part of the skull and the child will need medical care.
Recognising Skull Fracture
When the child is conscious there will be indicators that the child has a possible skull fracture.
- Immense pain
- Eyes rolling
- Drifting in and out of consciousness
- Blood in whites of the eyes
- Severe open head wound
- Cerebral Fluids from ears
- Blood in ears
When the child is unconscious it becomes more
difficult to identify the injuries, this is where your
TOP-TO-TOE comes in. Gently feel across the child's skull looking for:
- Indents
- Feel and look for gooey blood
- Object embedded
- Bone protruding
- CSF in ears and nose
- Blood in ears
Suspected Spinal Injury
Where there is serious trauma or impact to a child's body you must suspect spinal injury. While the child is conscious there may be indicators
- Deformity of body
- No movement of legs
- Feeling numb
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
- Pain in the spinal area.
When the child is unconscious we must assume spinal injury, where there is severe trauma for example:
- Child's been hit by car
- Child has fallen down stairs
- Child has fallen from height
Remember!
Build up the picture of what has happened
Only move the child into the recovery
- When you have to leave them
- Airways need cleared of bodily fluids
Treatment For Skull Fracture
1. Call 999/112
2. If conscious lay them down and raise head and shoulder.
3. If Unconscious leave them in the position you found them, or place in recover position
should you have to leave them or they vomit.
4. Treat for blood lost
5. If fluids are coming from ears i.e blood or cerebral fluids(Clear and watery) then lightly apply sterile dressing over ears.
Do Not Block Ears.
6. Remember to assess for other injuries before moving child.
7. No drinks or food.