Seeking Information About Head Impact/trauma

If she got up again and isn't complaining or favoring it, she's probably fine but could DEFINITELY use a chiropractic adjustment. Mostly with falls like that, it just knocks the vertabrae out of alignment. It takes a lot to break a bone. My daughter fell down the stairs once head first and it sounds similar to what you saw. She was completely fine, mostly scared and wanted to go to the playground as planned. I took her to the chiropractor the next day and after lots of cracks, she was fine.

I have a spinal cord injury from a fall and I can tell you, it's painful. The fact that your daughter got up right away and continued to play is a good sign and bones at her age haven't solidified completely so the chances of a hairline fracture are slim. Still, if you are concerned, I definitely recommend getting an x-ray done. That's the only way to know for sure. At the very least, you might consider taking her to a pediatric chiropractor for an adjustment or two to make sure everything is in its proper place. Good luck!

"I am now concerned that there is a possibility that she could have fractured a vertebrae"
If there is any question of injury or possibility that this injury could have affected your child in the description you are giving; TAKE HER TO A DOCTOR ASAP!

"My two girls were playing boisterously on the sofa last night"
Why would you let them continue this play?
Would you allow a child care provider of a "20 month old" to ignore the dangers of this kind of play?

Hi,i would have the pediartician check her out anyway,if she gets unusually cranky,or loses her apeteite,anything unusual warrants checking,but for your'e piece of mind get her checked out, they know what to look for, hopefully it is nothing, and her youth and body will have protected her.E.Newell

just please take her to a dr

Don't know if you've already had a Dr appt, but I would have x-rays just for peace of mind. I think that you would see symptoms in her movement- maybe not moving her limbs as well. I think a pediatrician could definitely tell certain symptoms and let you know if there needs to be any further referrals.Don't know of this helps, but children are amazingly resilient too!

I would call your doctor immediately. There is a good chance she is fine as she is not displaying any symptoms but you cannot be too careful...

Hi,
I am sure this was very scary for you and thank god your child got up and seemed fine. I would call my pediatrician asap and even a specialist just to be on the safe side. Perhaps they could do an open MRI to check for any damage. I am just very over cautious. I am sure your child is perfectly fine. They are always falling and doing crazy things and their bodies are really resiliant.

good luck,
D.

I'm an andvanced practice RN, and I wouldnt hesitate to call my pediatrician and bring her in. Though it is probably is nothing to worry about since she is up moving around, you are better off keeping those who take care of her informed. At only 20 months old it can be difficult for you to check for symptoms such as numbness/tingling in arms or legs, pain, muscle spasm etc. If you have any worries at all you should see her practitioner. They can evaluate her properly and give you peace of mind.

Hi

To be on the safe side take your child to the pediatrician you just never know a hair line fracture anything and just for peace of mind thats what I would do. Children do bounce back just take her to the pediatrician.

If you are the least bit concerned you should take her to see her pediatrician. By the sounds of her response so far, it will probably be a case of overreaction but better that then underreaction.
If there were a hard impact on her skull (which it doesn't sound like) there might be concern about the impact causing a shift in the skull bones and possibly slowing of the spinal fluid reabsorption. The symptoms for that are more subtle, but a good pediatric physical therapist who knows cranio-sacral therapy could take care of it in just a few sessions. (Also, the pediatrician might poo poo the cranio-sacral work so I suggest you google cranio-sacral therapy and read up on it.) I am a PT and get the journals, and there was an article on how CST helped a toddler with progressive neuro-logical symptoms that the doctors were unable to explain. That includes developmental delays such as slowed progress in speech, motor delays, weakness in the arms or legs. You could also take her to a pediatric chiropractor to check her spinal column for any minor spinal shifts.
But DON'T freak out--it is probably FINE and just have her checked by her doctor. Kids are relaxed when they fall and so don't get injured as easily as adults. The fact that she just appeared startled and then got up is a really good sign.