Brain damage causes the majority of deaths from injury in people under age 45, and injury is the leading cause of death in that group. Of course, death isn't the only possible outcome when you take an unprotected head cycling. They may have memory loss, difficulty concentrating, seizures, muscle spasms, vision loss, speech problems, anxiety and depression, sexual difficulties, and a host of other problems, physical and emotional. Children who are hospitalized with even minor brain injuries are likely to have trouble learning, and have behavioral and physical problems. One injury to the head increases the risk for a second significant injury by three times, a second boosts risk by eight times.
Prompt treatment is vitally important.
Even if there are no immediate symptoms, keep a watchful eye. Between 5 and 10 percent of people with serious brain injuries seem fine at first. It's not easy to convince our sons to wear bicycle helmets. One way or another, though, make sure they're protected.