Pediatric Emergencies: When to Go to the ER

As a parent, you are always worried about keeping your kids safe and healthy. When your child gets sick or hurt, it can be hard to tell if they need emergency care or not. Knowing the signs of a real emergency – and where to go for help – makes a difference in getting the right care when they need it.

Luckily, the AHN Wexford Hospital Emergency Department is open 24/7 and ready to treat your kids. The hospital offers short wait times, and its in-house pediatricians are available at all hours.*

Know where to go for care

Knowing your child’s care options ahead of time can help you act quickly when needed.

In-office or virtual pediatrician visit

Your child’s pediatrician is their main doctor for regular checkups, vaccinations, and preventive care. They can provide care for mild, non-emergency symptoms like:

• Coughs and colds 
• Sore throat
• Earaches
• Rashes

Express and urgent care

Urgent cares are often open evenings and weekends, making them a good option for when your pediatrician’s office is closed. An urgent care facility can treat conditions that are not life threatening but require immediate attention:

• Pink eye
• Infections (ear, throat, urinary tract)
• Mild fevers or the flu
• Minor cuts and burns
• Minor strains and sprains
• Minor broken bones, like fingers or toes

Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion’s Express Care clinic is open seven days a week for walk-in appointments, offering fast care for patients and families who may be experiencing issues like:

• Allergies
• Coughing/breathing problems
• Headaches and migraines
• Cold, flu, or COVID-19 concerns
• Rashes and infections
• Abdominal discomfort

For parents who are unable to bring their child to see a provider in person, virtual urgent care options are available 24/7 at AHN. Video visits can be an effective way to talk to a provider about your child’s symptoms and get quality, convenient care from home.

Emergency care

For a serious pediatric emergency, go to your closest emergency room or call 911. The ER is for life-threatening conditions that need to be treated immediately. Key signs that your child is experiencing an emergency and needs to go to the ER include:

• Loss of consciousness – If your child is unresponsive, call 911 immediately.
• Difficulty breathing – This includes rapid breathing or gasping for air.
• High fever – Any temperature over 104° F (40° C) is a serious concern.** For infants less than six weeks old, a fever always warrants a visit to the ER because of higher risk for infection.
• Severe abdominal pain – Go to the ER if your child has very bad stomach pain followed by vomiting, bloody stools, or fever. 
• Pediatric seizure – Seizures can cause shaking, loss of movement, or unconsciousness.
• Major wounds, burns, or broken bones – Deep cuts, burns that cover a large area of the body, and major broken bones need immediate care.
• Severe dehydration – Signs include dry mouth, lack of tears, or sunken eyes.
• Head injury – Watch out for any head trauma resulting in loss of consciousness, vomiting, or confusion.
• Poisoning or overdose – If you believe your child has swallowed something harmful, like poison, a toxic chemical, or medication not prescribed to them, call poison control at 1-800-222-2222 and seek immediate care.

Wexford pediatric emergency services

At Wexford Hospital, our emergency room is prepared to handle a range of emergencies for children of all ages. We offer:

• 24/7 emergency room care – Access to immediate medical attention around the clock.
• Kid-friendly experts – Our pediatric specialists and care teams are trained in gentle approaches to make kids feel as comfortable as possible. We also have a child life specialist who provides extra emotional support using play and age-appropriate language.
• Inpatient care – Wexford has pediatric beds if your child needs to stay overnight. Our private rooms keep you close by with a dedicated sleeping space. 

In addition to emergency care, Wexford also offers surgery — both inpatient and outpatient orthopaedic and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) procedures — for kids.

Follow up with your pediatrician

While your child will be treated by an expert pediatrician during your ER visit, you should follow up with their regular pediatrician within a few days. This will help ensure your child is getting better and that their doctor stays informed.

When in doubt, seek care

If your child has a medical emergency, the AHN Wexford Hospital emergency room is ready 24/7 to provide fast, compassionate treatment.