It is rare for children to become seriously ill with no warning. Depending on your child’s symptoms, you usually should contact your child’s pediatrician for advice. Early recognition and treatment of symptoms can prevent an illness or injury from getting worse or turning into an emergency. The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper offers parents these guidelines about emergencies:
What is an emergency?
An emergency is when you believe a severe injury or illness is threatening your child’s health or may cause permanent harm. In these cases, a child needs emergency medical treatment right away. Discuss with your child’s pediatrician in advance what you should do and where you should go in case of an emergency.
Cooper University Hospital is the only hospital in South Jersey with board-certified, pediatric emergency-medicine physicians in the emergency department. Parents who bring their children to Cooper can be assured that experts in children’s injuries and ailments are immediately available for help.
Emergencies can result from medical or psychiatric illnesses or injuries. Your child may show any of the following signs:
- Acting strangely or becoming more withdrawn and less alert.
- Unconsciousness or no response when you talk to your child.
- Rhythmic jerking and/or loss of consciousness (a seizure).
- Increasing effort or trouble with breathing.
- Skin or lips that look blue, purple or gray.
- Neck stiffness or a rash with fever.
- Increasing or severe, persistent pain.
- A cut that is large, deep, or involves the head, chest or abdomen.
- Bleeding that does not stop after applying pressure for 5 minutes.
- A burn that is large and/or involves the hands, feet, groin, chest or face.
- Any loss of consciousness, confusion, headache or vomiting after a head injury.
Many emergencies involve sudden injuries. These injuries often are caused by:
- Bicycle or car crashes.
- Falls.
- Burns or smoke inhalation.
- Choking.
- Near drowning.
- Firearms or other weapons.
- Electric shocks.
- Poisoning.*
What to do
*Call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 at once if your child has swallowed a suspected poison or another person’s medication, even if your child has no signs or symptoms.
Call your pediatrician if you think your child is ill. Call 9-1-1 (or your local emergency number) for help if you are concerned that your child’s life may be in danger or that your child is seriously ill or injured.
In addition, every parent should be prepared. Part of that preparation includes learning CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and basic first aid.
Be prepared
The Life Support Training Center at Cooper University Hospital offers courses in CPR and Heartsaver AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Instruction covers when to phone 9-1-1, how to give CPR, how to use an AED and how to provide relief of choking. The 4-hour course will be offered on January 13, 2009, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on March 10, 2009, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Cooper University Hospital. The cost is $50 and includes instruction by Cooper faculty, a text book and instructional CD Rom. Registration is required.
Call (856) 342-2009 for further information, or e-mail Cooper’s Life Support Training Center at LifeSupport@cooperhealth.edu.