Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
Your child was seen in the ED for a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion. This is a mild brain injury. It can cause many different symptoms, including confusion, memory loss, vision changes, sensitivity to noise, sleeping too much or too little, slow speech, trouble controlling emotions, and headache. Your child might also feel dizzy or have trouble with balance.
Your child's concussion will likely get better on its own. The doctor thinks it is safe for them to recover at home. But you or another caregiver should watch your child for new symptoms for the next 24 hours.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment for your child to see a doctor within a few days. This might be with your child's regular doctor or with a doctor with special expertise in concussion, such as a sports medicine doctor or neurologist.
●Do not let your child play sports or do other activities where they could be injured until the doctor says it's safe to start again. Having a second injury while their brain is healing can seriously damage their brain.
●Help your child rest their body for the next 24 to 48 hours. After that, they can slowly start to get back to regular activities. This includes light physical activity, as long as it doesn't make symptoms worse or risk injury.
●Have your child rest their brain. They should avoid things that make their symptoms worse. This might include reading, playing video games, or using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Your child can gradually start doing these things again as they feel ready. But they should take a break again if their symptoms come back or get worse.
●Your child can probably go back to school after 1 to 2 days of rest. Talk to their regular doctor about when they should return. In general, this is when they can stay focused and concentrate for at least 30 to 45 minutes at a time. Missing more than 5 days of school is usually not recommended.
●If your child has a headache, give them non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin). These medicines should only be used for a few days. Never give aspirin to a child younger than 18 years old.
●After a concussion, your child might have trouble falling or staying asleep. They might feel more tired during the day. It can help to:
•Help them go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
•Remove light, noise, and screens from their bedroom.
•Create a relaxing bedtime routine to follow each night.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if your child:
•Becomes very confused or cannot be woken up
•Has blood or clear liquid draining from their ears or nose
•Has a seizure
●Return to the ED if your child:
•Has trouble waking from sleep or staying awake
•Loses control of their bladder or bowels
•Vomits more than 4 to 6 hours after the injury
•Feels weak or numb in part of their body
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if your child has:
●Symptoms that are getting worse with physical and mental rest
●A stiff neck
●New or worsening symptoms
If any of the above symptoms seem severe, or if you are concerned about your child but cannot reach the doctor or nurse, seek emergency help. These things don't always mean there is a serious problem, but seeing a doctor or nurse is the only way to know for sure.
Patient education: Concussion in children and teens (The Basics)
Patient education: Postconcussion syndrome (The Basics)
Patient education: Head injury in children and teens (The Basics)
Patient education: Head injury in babies and children under 2 years (The Basics)
Patient education: Head injury observation in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Good sleep hygiene (The Basics)
Patient education: Head injury in children and adolescents (Beyond the Basics)
