Brain injury in children and babies

Need to know

• What are the symptoms of brain injuries in children? icon plus

  Symptoms of cerebrial hypoxia to watch out for include:

  • decline in self control
  • weakened limbs
  • jerky motions.

  In the most severe cases, a lack of consciousness that looks like sleep, but cannot be wakened.

• How are brain injuries in children diagnosed? icon plus

  There are number of tests that can confirm a hypoxic brain injury. These tests include:

  • a computerised tomography (CT) scan
  • a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
  • an Electroencephalogram (EEG).

  Other more thorough tests include:

  • Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) tests. This is a form of CT scan that checks areas of the brain for blood flow and metabolism.
  • Evoked potential tests. These are tests that evaluate the visual, auditory, and sensory pathways.

• Potential treatment options icon plus

  Treatment is provided on a long term basis, through our rehabilitation programmes put the patient and their families at the very centre of care, treatment and discharge planning.

  We take into account cultural and spiritual beliefs, and values and lifestyle, before creating a rehabilitation programme from which goals are made.

  We offer:

  • interdisciplinary team working on patient-centred care
  • patient led goals setting
  • key worker as a single point of contact
  • case conferences between the patient, their family, your consultant and key team members
  • education planning relating to the patient's health and plans for the future discharge planning and ongoing support
  • Brain surgery (neurosurgery).