Paediatric Inpatient Care
Children are admitted when they need something that cannot be given at home: fluids into a vein, oxygen, or simply closer observation than a parent can manage overnight. A parent stays with the child throughout, which helps the child and helps us, because you notice changes first.
- A parent stays, including overnight
- Reviewed by a paediatrician daily
- Paediatric nursing and equipment
- Intensive care in the same building
Stay
2 to 5 days typically
Duration
Reviewed daily
Anaesthesia
As required
About Paediatric Inpatient Care
The children's ward is set up for children rather than adapted from adult care: smaller equipment, weight-based dosing, and nursing staff used to assessing a child who cannot describe their symptoms. Most admissions are short. The daily review sets out what has to improve before discharge, so families know what is being waited for.
- Equipment and dosing sized for children
- A parent stays with the child at all times
- Reviewed by a paediatrician every day
- Discharge criteria explained, so families know what is being waited for
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about paediatric inpatient 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 inpatient care.
- Dehydration needing intravenous fluids
- Pneumonia or asthma needing oxygen
- Severe infection needing intravenous antibiotics
- Persistent vomiting
- Seizures requiring observation
- Any child too unwell to be managed at home
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
Admission
The reason for admission, the expected stay and what has to improve before discharge are explained to you at the start.
Treatment
Intravenous fluids, antibiotics, oxygen or nebulisers as needed, at doses calculated by the child's weight.
Daily review
A paediatrician sees the child each day, reviews progress and adjusts treatment. Ask questions at this round.
Discharge
Once the child is drinking, breathing comfortably and improving, you go home with instructions and a follow-up.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- Bring the immunisation card and any regular medication
- Bring comfort items, a favourite toy and familiar clothing
- Bring things to occupy the child, as a bored child recovers no faster but is far less settled
- Arrange for another adult to bring you what you need, since you will be staying
- Ask what has to improve before discharge, so you know what to look for
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- Most children improve within two to three days of admission
- Appetite returns last, often after the child is otherwise well
- Complete the full course of any medicine sent home
- Follow the warning signs given for returning
- A follow-up appointment is arranged before discharge
Why choose Humayun for children's inpatient care
A children's ward works when it is built for children rather than adapted from adult care.
- Parents stay with the child, including overnight, as standard rather than by request
- Paediatric nursing, paediatric equipment and weight-based dosing
- A paediatrician reviewing every child daily, not on request
- Paediatric intensive care and neonatal care in the same building
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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 Emergency Care
Round-the-clock emergency assessment and treatment for children, by staff used to examining children.
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.