This is a continuation of my previous article entitled "Caring for Your Sick Baby, Part 1" Here are 4 more Reasons...
Babies and toddlers can quickly become dehydrated, especially if they've got a fever, are vomiting, or have diarrhea. Try to keep your little one hydrated by offering him an electrolyte solution, a mixture of water and juice, or even an ice pop, every 15 minutes. However, if your child refuses to drink or can't keep any liquids down, hasn't urinated for six hours, has sunken-looking eyes or dry, cracked lips, or if your baby has a sunken fontanel (the soft spot on the head), call your pediatrician immediately. "Don't take dehydration lightly," says Charles Shubin, M.D., director of the Children's Health Center at Mercy Medical Center, in Baltimore. "In severe cases, it can cause shock and even death."
Head Injury
You hear a thud and then a howl: Your child has fallen out of bed. While tumbles like this rarely cause more than a harmless scalp bruise, call the doctor if your child loses consciousness, becomes irritable or disoriented, has difficulty seeing, or vomits -- all of which can signal a serious head injury such as a concussion. In addition, always call the pediatrician if your baby falls from her crib -- even if she seems fine -- since children under the age of 1 still have very fragile skulls.
Severe Abdominal Pain
Most stomach discomfort is the result of a virus, food poisoning, or just plain gas. However, severe pain can signal anything from appendicitis to pneumonia. If your child is grabbing his stomach or is doubled over, or if your baby pulls her knees to her chest and shrieks and howls uncontrollably, wake up your pediatrician. "Unfortunately, it's difficult to judge how much pain a baby or toddler is in, since they can't tell you how crummy they're feeling," Dr. Shubin says. "If you're not sure, make the call."
A tinge of blood in your child's throw-up or stool is usually nothing to worry about -- it's probably just a small tear in her throat or rectum. If it's a significant amount, you should let your doctor know. "We'll want to rule out a gastrointestinal problem such as an obstruction or a tear in the stomach tissue," Dr. O'Keeffe explains.
Even when your child has none of these call-right-away symptoms, trust your intuition if you sense that something may be wrong. "If, for example, your child is lethargic, gray, or has an unusual cry," Dr. O'Keefe says, "play it safe and give the doctor a call."
Just for Newborns
The "when in doubt, call" rule is even more important if your child is less than 8 weeks old. Phone your pediatrician at the first sign of:
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A rectal temperature of 100.5 degrees F or above.
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Wheezing when your child breathes.
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Repeated vomiting of milk or formula, or projectile vomiting.
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Pus or redness around the umbilical-cord stump.
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Pus or redness around the circumcision sit
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Fewer than eight wet diapers a day, if your child is at least a week old.
- Jack Gillis
All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.
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