Paediatric Emergency Care
A child who is seriously unwell looks different from an adult who is, and deteriorates faster. Our emergency service assesses children on arrival, by staff used to examining them, with paediatric doses, paediatric equipment and a paediatrician available at any hour.
- Paediatrician available 24 hours
- Assessed on arrival, not by queue position
- Paediatric equipment and dosing
- Parents stay with the child
Stay
Assessment, then discharge or admission
Duration
Assessed on arrival
Anaesthesia
As required
About Paediatric Emergency Care
Children compensate well and then deteriorate quickly, which is why the assessment focuses on breathing, circulation and conscious level rather than on the temperature reading. Most children who attend are treated and go home the same day. The purpose of the assessment is to identify the small number who need admission before they become obviously unwell.
- Children compensate well and then deteriorate quickly
- Assessment focuses on breathing, circulation and alertness
- Most children are treated and go home the same day
- A parent stays with the child throughout
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about paediatric emergency care. Whether it suits you, and how it would be done in your case, is a decision for your doctor after examining you.
Your consultant's instructions always take precedence over anything written on this page.
When is it recommended?
Situations in which a doctor may suggest paediatric emergency care.
- Difficulty breathing or fast breathing
- A drowsy child, or one who will not wake properly
- A child who will not drink or is passing much less urine
- A rash that does not fade under pressure
- Fever in a baby under three months
- Seizures
- Injury, burns or a swallowed object
- Persistent vomiting or severe abdominal pain
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
Assessment on arrival
Breathing, circulation and alertness are checked immediately. Children are seen by how unwell they are, not by arrival order.
Examination and tests
A full examination, with blood tests, imaging or a urine sample arranged only where they will change the treatment.
Treatment
Fluids, oxygen, nebulisers or medication as needed, at doses calculated for the child's weight.
Decision
Most children are treated and go home with clear instructions. Those needing observation are admitted to the children's ward.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- This is an emergency, so come without preparation
- Bring the immunisation card and any regular medication if you can
- Note when symptoms started, temperatures recorded and any medicine already given
- Bring a favourite toy or comforter if there is time
- For a serious emergency, call 108 rather than driving
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- Most children improve within a day or two of treatment
- Follow the specific warning signs given rather than general worry
- Complete any prescribed course rather than stopping when the child seems better
- Return immediately if breathing becomes difficult, the child becomes drowsy, or will not drink
- A follow-up with the paediatrician is arranged where needed
Why choose Humayun in a paediatric emergency
Children need staff who are used to examining children, and equipment sized for them.
- A paediatrician on duty at all hours rather than an adult team covering children
- Doses calculated by weight and equipment sized for children
- Children's ward and neonatal intensive care in the same building if admission is needed
- Parents kept with the child, including during most procedures
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More in Paediatric Services
General Paediatric OPD
Outpatient consultations for children, covering everyday illness, growth, feeding and the worries parents bring.
Newborn Care
Examination and care of babies in the first weeks, covering feeding, jaundice, weight and the checks done before discharge.
Immunisation
Routine childhood vaccination and catch-up schedules, given on time and recorded properly.
Growth Monitoring
Regular measurement of weight, height and head size plotted on a growth chart, which is how problems are found early.
Developmental Assessment
Structured checks of movement, speech, social interaction and learning, so support can start early where it is needed.
Paediatric Inpatient Care
Ward admission for children who need intravenous treatment, oxygen or observation, with a parent staying throughout.
Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU)
Intensive care for newborns needing breathing support, feeding through a tube, or close monitoring in the first weeks.
Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU)
Intensive care for critically ill children needing organ support, continuous monitoring or ventilation.