Patient's question:
A 1-year-8-month-old baby fell off the sofa last night, with the right side of the forehead hitting the ground first, immediately forming a large bruise. That night, she cried for a while, and I could feel her swallowing something. In the afternoon, we applied cold compress to the bruise. By the morning of the third day, the large bruise had significantly reduced, and she was in good spirits. However, on the third night, she woke up crying, slightly coughing and again feeling like she was swallowing something. Should I have her head checked carefully, or should I wait and see?Doctor's answer:
The baby fell off the sofa last night. It is recommended to monitor closely for 24 hours, primarily observing for projectile vomiting, restlessness, loss of appetite, changes in complexion and breathing. If any of these symptoms occur, it is advised to seek medical attention at the neurosurgery department as soon as possible for a follow-up examination, including a head MRI to assess the condition of the intracranial structures. Since it has already been less than 24 hours, it is unlikely to be caused by the fall.