Summer is a time when children engage in numerous recreational, sports, and outdoor activities, increasing their risk of falls. Children may sustain injuries ranging from minor, such as scrapes and bruises, to severe, like fractures or head trauma. Doctor Nguyen Huu Dung, a pediatric surgeon at Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, provides guidance on first aid steps when a child falls.

**Injury assessment**

Immediately after a child falls, parents must check the child's consciousness and breathing to promptly detect signs of severe injury. Adults should observe if the child is alert and responsive to normal stimuli, while also monitoring for symptoms such as vomiting, seizures, difficulty breathing, lethargy, or reduced responsiveness.

If a child loses consciousness, vomits repeatedly, experiences worsening headaches, cries inconsolably (in young children), or exhibits behavioral and consciousness disturbances, parents should take the child to a medical facility for examination and timely treatment.

Doctor Dung examines a child with a leg injury at Tam Anh Clinic District 7. Photo: Minh Tam

**Bleeding control and wound care**

For a child with a bleeding wound, apply a sterile gauze or clean cloth directly to the injury with pressure to stop the bleeding and prevent infection. Do not change the dressing too soon if bleeding persists.

For soft tissue injuries like swelling and bruising, apply a cold compress within the first 24-48 hours after the injury. This helps constrict blood vessels, reduce pain, and limit swelling. Avoid applying ice directly to the skin to prevent frostbite.

**Preventing further injury**

If you suspect a child has a fracture, dislocation, or spinal injury, parents should limit the child's movement to prevent worsening the injury. Keep the child in a safe position and temporarily immobilize the suspected injured area while awaiting medical personnel.

Parents must not massage, manipulate bones or joints, or apply folk remedies to the injured area, especially if a fracture, dislocation, or soft tissue injury is suspected. Incorrect actions can exacerbate the injury, cause additional bleeding, lead to bone displacement in the case of a closed fracture, or worsen damage to soft tissues and blood vessels.

**Post-fall monitoring**

If a child falls and hits their head, close monitoring is crucial for the first 24-48 hours after the injury to detect any abnormal signs promptly. Parents should observe the child's alertness, responsiveness, sleep patterns, and any manifestations such as being more tired than usual, crying more than usual, playing less, interacting less with others, or having slow reactions when called.

If a child vomits repeatedly, experiences worsening headaches, exhibits unusual drowsiness, is difficult to wake, or has altered consciousness, they must be taken to a medical facility immediately.

Proper first aid reduces the risk of complications after a child's fall. If there are any abnormal signs or a suspected severe injury, parents should take the child to the hospital for timely intervention and to prevent the injury from worsening.

Minh Tam