CHOC advises parents to follow their parental instincts. Your child should be taken to the ED if:
• They are experiencing rapid and fast breathing, head trauma, trauma with loss of consciousness or vomiting, motor vehicle accidents, severe abdominal pain or dehydration.
• An infant less than 28 days old has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher.
The emergency department treats a variety of ailments, big and small, from broken bones to small abrasions to headaches. No matter is too small, and no patient is turned away. Whether or not the child needs treatment, parents will leave the ED with reassurance and education.
Read more on our blog: Should I take my child to the pediatrician, urgent care or emergency department?
Learn more in this CHOC Radio podcast: When do I take my child to the emergency department?