Raising a healthy child is no cakewalk, which becomes overly overwhelming when facing situations you are not sure warrant emergency care or a visit to your primary care doctor. Some concerns, like traumatic accidents, are clear emergencies, but others can be confusing. Since children may not clearly express their situations, understanding the common concerns you should visit St. Michael’s Elite Hospital for emergency care is critical. It helps ensure you avoid potential complications that can lead to disability or death. Among the common pediatric problems that warrant emergency care includes the following:
Fever
You have a few tricks to help your child beat a fever. While measures like encouraging the child to rest, ensuring they are well hydrated, and at a certain point, medication works, it can reach high levels that warrant professional attention. An increasingly high fever should not be overlooked, more so since it usually indicates an underlying health condition, some that could lead to seizures or signify life-threatening infections.
Dehydration
Dehydration can happen if your child has been ill, mainly if it includes diarrhea, vomiting, and inability to take and maintain fluids in the body. Check for signs such as no tears even after crying for an extended period, dry mouth, no wet diaper in a while, cold feet/hands, and sunken eyes. Dehydration can lead to severe complications, including hypovolemic shock, kidney problems, and seizures, emphasizing the need for emergency attention.
Respiratory problems
During emergency visits, pediatricians usually follow the ABCDEs approach. This entails checking the (A) airway obstruction, (B) breathing ability and difficulty level, (C) blood circulation, (D) disability, including thinking and moving caused by the situation, and (E) exposure to toxins. Respiratory checks are the top considering their impact on overall progress as oxygen levels in blood decline.
Seizure
Seizures and/or convulsions can signify an underlying condition like epilepsy. Concerns like high fever or other medical problems could also cause them. Suppose your child has a condition that increases the risk of seizures/convulsions. In that case, it is recommended that you understand the relevant procedures to help you take the proper steps to deliver an immediate response. Nonetheless, you should also seek medical attention as soon as you can. If you are unsure what caused the episode, emergency care is critical to establish the root of the problem and receive proper care.
Trauma
Accidents, especially with apparent injuries like cuts and heavy bleeding, often see parents rushing to the ER. However, you can easily overlook the incident without obvious consequences. If the accident involved a head blow, you should seek immediate attention with or without apparent concerns. Trauma can lead to unseen yet dangerous internal injuries like concussions or internal bleeding. This means the child is likely to develop life-threatening complications down the line, which could be avoided through thorough diagnosis and immediate intervention.
Pediatric emergencies are overwhelming, but you should not let panic take over. Seeking emergency care will help the child and alleviate the parents’ stress levels. While the symptoms vary, pediatric emergencies are commonly characterized by high-grade fever, seizures/convulsions, difficulty breathing, and significant blood loss. Contact St. Michael’s Elite Hospital for all your pediatric emergency concerns and services.
