short term memory loss due to head trauma

Did they say she has a concussion? If so, things will get better but it takes time and requires patience. She may need a break from school, time off from computer and phone screens and so on. It is excellent that they did not find a brain bleed. She is young and young brains are very resilient. It is called neuroplasticity.

Keep in touch with her doctor and a neurologist if available if concerns continue.

In the US there are concussion clinics. Not sure if you have that in India.

Is her neck okay?

When I was about 8, I fell and was knocked unconscious.

I have no recollection of the actual event. I don't even know how long I was out. I remember waking up later that evening and telling my mother I had a terrible headache. She said, "No wonder." I couldn't imagine why she would say that!

The next day, I was told about my accident.

That was nearly 60 years ago. I had no long-term effects from it, aside from the amnesia about the fall.

This was in the days before CT scans and trauma units; I just stayed home a couple of days and was fine.

they did not say concussion. the doctor said it may be shock. They did CT scan and found nothing unusual. The doctor asked to do MRI next day( today). I will going for MRI today and keep this thread.

It is not just that she is not able to remember the event. She is not able to remember any thing beyond couple of minutes.

@ranjeetsih When you say that your daughter cannot remember anything beyond a couple of minutes do you mean today? And this happens over and over? I can understand why you are very worried. Since the doctor will order an MRI today perhaps that will provide more information. I hope you will tell the doctor about your daughter’s short term memory problems. Please ask the doctor if they have seen this in their other patients. Then ask the doctor if there is another specialist in brain trauma that can provide another opinion. I suggest that you write your questions on paper to take with you so you do not forget because these appointments can be very stressful. Also, will someone else from your family see the doctor with you? It’s good to have « another set of ears » as we say.

it was right after the event and happening over and over.
thanks for the suggestion.

@ranjeetshih I am glad you clarified that the memory issue is ongoing, not just of the event. Have you considered taking her to an ER with a good connection to neurology? She might need another CT scan followed by MRI. I am not saying that to scare you. Her brain may be suffering from severe concussion, which is not dangerous, and as I wrote before young brains tend to heal faster and better than older ones. If it is a concussion, maybe you can find a clinic or specialist who is good with that. The main thing is to make sure there is no brain bleed. It sounds unlikely and the memory issues existed at the same time that the CT was negative for bleeding.

My daughter had a brain bleed after being hit by a car (in the cerebellum mainly) and was in an induced coma, and didn't remember things for more than 3 months. But we don't know if that was from the injury or from the sedation. I totally get how you are feeling! She went on to get her PhD a few years later.

Oops just saw she is having an MRI today, that is good. Concussions don't show up on imaging so doctors sometimes don't diagnose them officially in our experience since there is no evidence.

Hi Everyone

My daughter is behaving normally after she woke up today.
Everything is fine except she has no memory of from the time she hit her head to the time she fell asleep.
which is around 4-5 hours.
I am asked to consult the neurologist before MRI can be done.
I am going to see the neurologist tomorrow.

@ranjeetsih Thank you for reporting back to us. This is very good news. She will also see the neurologist before the MRI so I am hopeful you will get more information before the MRI.

One idea I have. Does your daughter wear a helmet, like a bike helmet, when she rides her bike or is skating? I'm in the U.S. and when I was a child in the 1960's no one wore helmets for activities. We know so much more about head injuries and so would be a good idea for your daughter to wear a bike helmet for her activities. You can ask the neurologist what they think about this recommendation.