Any parent can identify with the stress and anxiety of having to care for a sick child especially when it comes to child health emergencies. For any parent, a key contributor of stress is knowing when it is appropriate to bring a child to the Accident & Emergency (A&E) 24 hour clinic department. For new parents, knowledge about infant emergency care and when it is appropriate to seek medical attention can be potentially life- saving.
Here are some common child health emergencies and warning signs that you should seek emergency attention for your child at the A&E.
Fever: When is it an emergency care situation?
Fever in children is a common health condition all parents would have to manage. Fever is a common side effect for infant vaccinations and could also be a result of viral or bacterial infections as well as inflammatory conditions.
A child is running a fever if he or she:
- Has a rectal temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or
- Has an oral temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher.
- Has an armpit temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher.
Parents should consider bringing your baby to the A&E if your child displays any of these symptoms:
- Prolonged fever with a temperature for more than three days consecutively with signs of poor appetite in the child, poor feeding patterns and lethargy.
- Additional symptoms to the fever such as breathlessness.
- Poor fluid intake with decreased urination.
Allergic reactions: What to look out for
Allergic reactions in children can be a cause of worry for parents especially first-time parents. As children grow and are exposed to different allergens there is always a risk of an allergic reaction to an unknown trigger.
Typical manifestations of allergies include itching, redness of skin or red bumps. If there are no other symptoms, these are generally not dangerous. However, child emergency care and attention may be needed if your child has:
- Choking sensation, difficulty swallowing or hoarseness of
- Respiratory issues – shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing.
- Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea.
- Discomfort in the chest area – feeling of tightness
- Dizziness or feeling light-headed
Stomach problems in children
Children can often catch infections of the gut (called gastroenteritis). This can occur especially in children attending school or child-care , as other children present may transmit the infection to them. This can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain.
Parents should think about seeking emergency care at the A&E for their child if diarrhoea or vomiting persists and is accompanied by symptoms like fever, lethargy and poor urine output for the child. Depending on the severity of these symptoms, emergency doctors may choose to admit the child.
If you suspect that your child has ingested something that he or she should not have, that may be potentially toxic (such as a battery or toxic household liquid substances like detergent) do bring a sample if possible, and proceed to the emergency department for assessment.
Raffles A&E: Specialists on call with immediate medical attention
Raffles Medical’s Emergency Room is equipped with emergency medical doctors and nurses who are skilled and able to co-manage different emergency situations with our other specilaists including paediatrician for children in need of special and effective treatment and care.
