My friends' neice

Im not sure if this question goes under this category but last night my friends' neice fell off a bunk bed, shes about 3 or  4 years old. She told her mom that her head hurt and her head started to swell, so she took her to the ER. Turns out she was bleeding from her brain and thats the last thing that I have heard. I was wondering if you could give me any information as to if she will more than likely be alright or any information at all. thank you!

[Neuro Forum]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to review her imaging and examine her I can not comment on what the course for this little girl will be.

There are several types of bleeding in the brain. They can generally be divided into bleeding around the brain and within the brain itself. Bleeding around the brain includes subdural hematoma and epidural hematoma. These are due to tears in the veins (subdural hematoma) or artery (epidural hematoma) that run through the tissues that surround the brain. The prognosis from these types of bleed depend on how large the bleed is; in some cases when the bleed is large and is pressing on the brain, they are surgically evacuated. Other complications include seizures. Most patients do relatively well even if surgery is required, unless the brain tissue itself is damaged due to excessive pressure on it.

The other type of bleed is within the brain tissue itself. Such bleeds include subarachnoid hemorrhage, contusion, and lobar hemorrhage. These are all just terms describing the bleed. Contusion is the most likely when there is head trauma: it is sort of analogous to a bruise. The prognosis again depends on the size of the bleed and the location. If it is a small bleed,  it will usually resolve without long term consequences though in some cases particularly with large bleeds permanent neurologic deficits such as weakness, sensory loss, seizures, or cognitive changes can occur.

Thank you for using the forum I hope you find this information useful good luck.

[kjones1]

A related discussion, Hit my head was started.