Should a One-Year-Old Be Checked After Falling Off the Couch?

Question

An eight-month-old child fell off the couch, sustaining a forehead injury. Subsequently, the child experienced coughing and difficulty swallowing. How should one handle this situation?

Answer

After a child falls from the couch, although there may not be any apparent injury at the moment, it’s important to closely monitor the child for 24 hours. Pay attention to symptoms such as projectile vomiting, restlessness, decreased appetite, changes in facial color or breathing. If any abnormalities are detected, seek immediate medical attention for a cranial MRI to confirm the normalcy of the head structure. Since it has been over 24 hours and based on the child’s condition described, further examination is not recommended at this time, but continued observation of the child’s health status is still necessary.