We live in Atlanta, Georgia, US. About 3
Ask
We live in Atlanta, Georgia, US.
About 35 minutes ago, my 2-year-old son rolled off our adult bed (about 3 feet high) onto the hardwood floor.
He cried right away for 5 minutes, but now has a soft, golf-ball sized swelling above his right ear.
He vomited once about 10 minutes ago, and now he is unusually drowsy and hard to keep awake.
Should we go to the nearest pediatric emergency room immediately, or let him sleep it off and watch him at home?
What should we do right now while we get ready?
Answer
Go to the nearest pediatric emergency room now — do not let him sleep it off. A scalp swelling on the side or temple of a child under 2, vomiting after the fall, and unusual drowsiness are warning signs of a serious head injury, and they can worsen over the next hours.
If calling is faster than driving, call your local emergency number on speaker and set off while you talk. Drive if the pediatric E is closer than waiting for an ambulance. Do not wait to see if he "perks up."
While you are getting ready and on the way:
- Keep him calm and rousable. Stay with him; do not let him lie flat asleep. Talk to him so you can see he stays awake and reactive.
- Note for the team: time of the fall, the height (about 3 feet onto hardwood), that he cried immediately, every vomit with its time, and how he is acting now.
- Bring his approximate weight, any medicines he takes, allergies, and his pediatrician's name.
- Do not give food, drink, or pain medicine yet — he may need imaging or sedation and an empty stomach matters.
- Leave the swelling alone; do not press on it.
| Now | Not |
| --- | --- |
| Drive to the pediatric E, or call your local emergency number and set off | Let him "sleep it off" |
| Keep him rousable; write down the timeline | Wait to see if he "perks up" |
| Nothing by mouth | Food, drink, or pain medicine before the team sees him |
I cannot tell you from here whether there is a skull fracture or a bleed — that needs an exam and imaging. The signs you described are enough to go now.