How many days constitute the critical period for intracranial hemorrhage following a head injury?
Sep 06, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Jun
Introduction
The critical period for brain injury due to a fall is usually around one week, with the first 24 to 48 hours being the most crucial. During this time, rebleeding and hematoma expansion are more likely to occur, so close monitoring of the patient's consciousness, pupils, mental status, and limb movement is essential. For severe cases, complications such as lower extremity deep vein thrombosis and pneumonia commonly develop around 2 to 3 weeks after the injury, making this period also relatively dangerous.
The critical period for brain hemorrhage following a head injury is generally about one week.
After a head injury, if intracranial bleeding occurs, the condition may progressively worsen over time—for example, the hematoma volume may increase, causing significant mass effect and compressing surrounding blood vessels, brain tissue, and nerves. This can easily lead to obvious neurological deficits and, due to sustained increases in intracranial pressure, progressive elevation of intracranial pressure that may trigger complications such as brain herniation. Therefore, prompt treatment is essential after a head injury. The high-risk period typically lasts about one week, with the first 24 to 48 hours being the most critical, as re-bleeding or hematoma expansion is more likely during this time. Close monitoring of the patient’s consciousness, pupils, mental status, and limb movements is necessary.
In addition, for severe cases—such as patients requiring mechanical ventilation—it is common to develop complications like lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, or stress ulcers around 2 to 3 weeks post-injury, making this another dangerous phase. Once patients successfully pass through this period, their conditions usually begin to stabilize.
