By: Katherine Flynn-O'Brien, MD, MPH, FACS, FAAP & Mary E. Fallat, MD, FACS, FAAP
If your child breaks a bone, struggles to breathe or suffers frightening thoughts that tell them life isn't worth living, will you know how to help them?
These are examples of medical emergencies that parents and caregivers must be ready to manage. Here's how to know when your child needs emergency care, what numbers to call and steps to take—plus a sampling of courses that can expand your emergency skills.
Childhood emergencies and what causes them
A medical emergency is defined as any point when a sudden injury or illness could end a child's life or severely harm their health. Injuries are the number 1 cause of death among kids in the U.S., so families need to prepare themselves to act when seconds count.
The most common injuries seen in kids and teens include:
Not all medical emergencies stem from sudden injuries. Kids may need emergency care when existing health conditions flare up. For example, a child with
asthma or allergies might struggle to breathe, even after rescue medications are given. Kids with
diabetes can go into shock when their blood sugar spikes. Children with epilepsy can have severe
seizures that call for quick medical attention.
Know when to call 911
If your child is sick or hurt but doesn't seem to be in serious danger, it's usually best to reach out to their doctor first. But
call 911 immediately if your child or teen:
Can't breathe
Has a seizure
Loses consciousness
Has a severe injury (examples: a broken bone, crushed limb, deep wound)
Is bleeding and you can't stop it
Has a serious skin burn or escapes a burning room in a closed space
Ingests something poisonous
Has a serious allergic reaction
Chokes on something you can't get loose
Witnesses, or is a victim of, a serious crime
Is found unresponsive after being underwater
If you're not sure what's wrong, but you believe your child is in danger, call 911. The operator will ask questions and guide you through the next steps in finding the care your child may need.
Pediatric-ready emergency care: AAP policy explained
In the U.S., more children and teens die from injuries than from cancer, birth defects and all other causes combined. This as a serious health problem that needs a better approach.
An emergency department that is properly prepared to care for any ill or injured child is called "pediatric-ready." A pediatric-ready ER has the ability to stabilize and transfer your child to a trauma hospital. However, many U.S. hospital emergency departments aren't fully equipped to care for injured children. They may not have the right sized equipment or training to provide the best and safest care.
In the worst cases, young lives are lost to a lack of resources, training or staff. Children who survive may suffer worse health outcomes than those treated in hospitals staffed and prepared to treat injured children. In addition, many kids face barriers to getting the quick, effective trauma treatment they need. For example, the nearest hospital or trauma center might be hundreds of miles away—or the family may lack access optimal post-injury resources and care.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) calls for a
stronger pediatric trauma care system in the U.S. This starts with injury prevention programs focused on babies, children and teens. Improved emergency response systems, coupled with better hospital treatment, transfers between hospitals when needed and effective post-injury care, can help all injured kids recover and thrive.
When to call 988 for mental health concerns
988 is the nation's
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, where trained counselors are available 24/7 to help anyone facing a mental health crisis. Parents, caregivers and family members can
call, text or chat to find urgent care for a child or teen experiencing:
Suicidal thoughts or actions; the urge to harm themselves
A desire to hurt others
Dangerous mood swings
Outbursts of rage, anger or grief
Extreme anxiety or sadness
Any mental health concern that affects your child's daily life
The lifeline has an option for those who are
deaf or hard-of-hearing. All services are free and confidential. You can learn more about 988
here.
When to call Poison Control
If your child swallows something that could be toxic, call 1-800-222-1222 for immediate help, even if they show no signs or symptoms of sickness. Possible poisons include:
Have the package of what your child swallowed in hand when you call. This will help the operator pinpoint potential dangers and advise you how to find care near you. Learn more about Poison Control and first aid for poisoning emergencies
here.
While you wait for help to arrive
These steps can protect your child (and possibly even save their life).
Stay as calm as you can. This will help your child manage their own feelings.
If your child is not breathing, give
rescue breaths.
If their heart has stopped, apply CPR (or find someone who can).
If your child is bleeding, apply steady pressure to the site with a clean cloth.
If your child is having a seizure, carefully place them on the floor with their head and body turned to the side. Do not put anything in their mouth.
Do not move an injured child unless they are in immediate danger (for example, from a fire).
Stay with your child until help arrives. Bring any medicines they regularly take with you to the hospital.
When you get to the emergency department, share your pediatrician's name and contact information with the emergency team. This helps coordinate care with your child's doctor, which can make a major difference in helping them recover.
Training that prepares you to handle emergencies
All parents and caregivers can benefit from learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. This technique can save a child's life when their heart stops beating. The American Red Cross offers
CPR training in nearly every community. The American Heart Association offers a CPR course geared to the needs of
friends and family.
Another emergency skill is knowing how to clear your child's throat if they choke. Here are
the steps that can help you clear a child's airway (and possibly save a life).
For more lifesaving knowledge, consider taking this first aid course designed
especially for parents.
Checking 911 coverage if you live in a remote area
In the U.S., 911 is designated as a universal number for emergencies. This means it can be dialed from any phone (mobile or landline) to reach out for police, fire or medical assistance. However, there are some remote or underserved areas that may have limited 911 coverage.
If you're concerned that 911 calls might not connect where you live, you can make a test call using the non-emergency number of your nearest 911 call center. (Get instructions for placing a test call
here.) The operator who answers your test call can offer advice for calling help in medical emergencies.
More information
About Dr. Flynn-O’Brien
Katherine Flynn-O'Brien, MD, MPH, FACS, is a pediatric surgeon and the Trauma and Burn Medical Director at Children’s Wisconsin. She is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and is faculty at the Comprehensive Injury Center. She is on Executive Committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention. She has been the recipient of five institutional grants since becoming faculty in 2020. Her research focuses on recovery after nonfatal pediatric firearm injury, involving primarily community-engaged and qualitative research methods.
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About Dr. Fallat
Mary E. Fallat, MD, FACS, FAAP ,is Professor of Surgery at the University of Louisville and a pediatric surgeon at Norton Children’s Hospital. Interest areas include access to surgical care, trauma and prehospital care, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the country. Dr. Fallat is a past Chair of the AAP Section on Surgery and past Chair of the Committee on Bioethics. Dr. Fallat has been funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as program director for the Kentucky EMS for Children program since 2001. She is a sub-principal investigator for a HRSA grant to develop a national pediatric pandemic network, allowing the pediatric trauma community to enhance trauma care within an all-hazards network.
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