Pediatric Care

Symptoms

• Fever in a young infant: Any temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 3 months old needs same-day emergency evaluation.
• Trouble breathing: Fast or labored breathing, grunting, flaring nostrils, ribs pulling in with each breath, or bluish lips are urgent.
• Dehydration: Dry mouth, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, unusual sleepiness, and far fewer wet diapers than normal signal fluid loss.
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea: Ongoing fluid loss that keeps a child from drinking can quickly cause dehydration, especially in young children.
• Non-fading rash: Purple or red spots that do not blanch (fade) when pressed, especially with fever, can signal a serious infection.
• Behavioral changes: Extreme drowsiness, a child who is hard to wake, or inconsolable crying that will not settle should be evaluated promptly.

When It's an Emergency

Call 911 or come to Bellaire ER right away if your child is struggling to breathe, has blue or gray lips or skin, is having a seizure, is unresponsive or unusually hard to wake, or has a stiff neck with fever and a rash that does not fade when you press on it.

Fever red flags are age-specific. Any fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby younger than 3 months is a medical emergency and needs evaluation the same day, even if the baby otherwise looks well. In older infants and children, seek care for fever that is very high, lasts more than a few days, or comes with dehydration, a severe headache, a stiff neck, a non-blanching rash, or a child who seems very ill.

Dehydration can become dangerous quickly in young children. Go to the ER for a dry mouth, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, marked drowsiness, no wet diaper in 8 hours or more, or vomiting that prevents a child from keeping any fluids down.

Also seek emergency care for a serious head injury with vomiting or confusion, a suspected broken bone, a deep or heavily bleeding wound, a severe allergic reaction with swelling or breathing trouble, or if you believe your child swallowed something harmful. For a known or suspected poisoning, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Bellaire ER evaluates and stabilizes pediatric emergencies on-site 24/7 and arranges hospital admission or transfer when a child needs inpatient care.

When It's Not an Emergency

Many common childhood illnesses can be handled at home, by telemedicine, or through your pediatrician or urgent care. A child older than 3 months with a mild fever who is still drinking, urinating, alert, and comforted by fever reducers is usually not an emergency.

Telemedicine or a pediatrician visit is reasonable for typical cold symptoms, a mild cough, a low-grade fever, ear pain, mild sore throat, a minor rash without other symptoms, or mild diarrhea when your child is still taking fluids well.

When you are unsure, it is always safe to call your pediatrician or use telemedicine first for guidance. Trust your instincts, though: if a child looks very ill, is getting worse, or you are worried something is seriously wrong, choose the ER.

What Happens at Bellaire ER

When you bring your child to Bellaire ER, a board-certified emergency physician examines your child and reviews their symptoms and history with you. We measure vital signs and assess breathing, hydration, and alertness right away.

We have an on-site laboratory, X-ray, ultrasound, and CT, so testing for infections, dehydration, and injuries happens in the building without a transfer to another facility. Most children are diagnosed and treated in a single visit.

Treatment may include IV or oral fluids for dehydration, fever and pain control, breathing treatments, wound or fracture care, or medication for infection. We keep families together throughout the visit and send you home with clear instructions on care, warning signs, and follow-up.

Prevention

You can lower the risk of some childhood emergencies by keeping vaccinations up to date, encouraging frequent handwashing, and offering fluids early during any illness with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Store medicines, cleaning products, and small objects out of reach to prevent poisoning and choking, and keep the Poison Control number, 1-800-222-1222, handy. Follow age-appropriate car seat and helmet use to reduce serious injuries.