Warning signs in children that should never wait until morning, and what to do on the way to hospital.
Why children are different
Children can become seriously unwell far faster than adults, and they often cannot describe what they feel. Parents are usually the first to notice that something is wrong — trust that instinct.
Go to the emergency room immediately if your child has
- Difficulty breathing, fast breathing, grunting, or ribs pulling in with each breath
- A convulsion (fit), or is unusually drowsy and hard to wake
- A fever in a baby under three months old
- Refusing all feeds or fluids, few or no wet nappies, sunken eyes or a dry mouth
- A rash that does not fade when you press it
- Persistent vomiting, a swollen tender tummy, or blood in stool or vomit
- A serious injury, deep wound, suspected fracture, burn, or a fall from height
- Swallowed a coin, battery, medicine or any chemical
What to bring with you
- Any medicines your child is taking, or the container of what was swallowed
- Immunisation card and previous hospital notes
- A rough note of when symptoms started and the temperature you measured
How we help
Our emergency unit is open 24 hours a day, with paediatric admission beds, an on-site laboratory and an Intensive Care Unit if your child needs closer monitoring. If you are unsure, call us — it is always better to be checked.
Speak to a doctor at BLUESCOPE
Our specialists in Kubwa, Abuja are available for consultation, with a 24/7 emergency unit, on-site laboratory, pharmacy and ICU.
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Educational information only — it does not replace a consultation with a qualified doctor.