Paediatric Emergencies Mon , Jul 20

A child’s health and safety are invariably the prime concerns of every parent. In this regard, it is vital that parents understand what constitutes emergency situations in children and seek care on time. Delays in recognition of emergencies in children or in providing the appropriate care to them might result in untoward consequences.

Fast breathing or breathing difficulty (with or without noisy breathing)

Bluish discoloration of lips, tongue or fingers, severe pallor or mottling of skin

Fits: This might be in the form of jerky movements of one or more limbs, a persistent stare with or without frequent blinking, fainting or twitches of the face

Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness

Lethargy or poor activity that appears disproportionate

Persistent or worsening severe pain (in belly, chest, head, ears, genitalia or other sites)

Vomiting or coughing of blood

Persistent severe vomiting and/or loose motions

Inability of the child to maintain oral intake (which could be due to vomiting, stomach pain, lethargy or poor appetite)

Reduced urine output, especially when prolonged

Persistent high fever with or without rash (it is usually the underlying cause of fever that might need evaluation and emergent care rather than the fever itself)

Swelling of lips or face (especially of sudden onset) or swelling of the entire body

Swelling of joints, restriction of movements of one or more limbs

Any serious trauma, especially when followed by bleeding from ears or nose, unconsciousness, vomiting, weakness of limbs, abnormal position of limbs with pain, restricted movements, excessive bleeding, breathlessness, severe stomach pain, passing of red coloured urine,a visible defect of skin and other tissues that might require closure (for example by suturing) or other danger signs.

Serious chemical, electrical or thermal injuries (burns and scalds) and near drowning

Insertion of a foreign body into nostril, ears or throat, especially when associated with distressing symptoms

Ingestion of a foreign body, especially like sharp objects or button batteries that might be potentially harmful

Aspiration of a foreign body into the breathing tube of the child (usually presenting as choking, breathing difficulty or violent bouts of cough)

Ingestion of poisonous substances (like mosquito repellent, paint, varnish, detergents, acids, pesticide, rodenticide, intake of medicines not meant for the child or overdose of medicines, etc.)

Bites by animals, snakes, scorpions, etc, bee or wasp sting

The younger the child, the more difficult it is to identify an emergency. An incessantly crying infant is a typical example of a nightmare to a parent. When in doubt, it is advisable to contact a paediatrician. It is to cater on time to the needs of every child and the family that we, at MGM Healthcare, provide you with 24×7 comprehensive care for all the emergencies mentioned above and more, with a unique group of highly experienced specialists equipped to deal with the specific health issues as part of the dedicated paediatric emergency services, which is backed up by the state-of-the-art facilities in our paediatric intensive care unit.