When to Visit the Emergency Room vs. When to Visit the Pediatrician

St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children offers tips
on what to do when your child is injured or sick.

No matter how hard you try to avoid it, children are bound to get hurt or sick sometimes. Whether it’s a hit to the head, fever or the common cold, it’s important to remember that each situation is different. Certain injuries and illness may require a trip to the emergency room, but many can be handled with a simple visit to the pediatrician.

Emergency rooms can sometimes be crowded and it may take longer to get minor problems treated. “Your child’s primary care physician is better equipped to handle less severe injuries and illnesses,” says Dr. Robert Bonner, medical director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. “When treating an injury or sickness the relationship between your child and his or her pediatrician is beneficial. Primary care physicians are familiar with your child’s medical history and have the ability to monitor your child’s progress.”

Minor problems like colds, coughs, ear pain, fever, mild diarrhea, constipation, temper tantrums, sleep problems and certain rashes may be dealt with by a pediatrician. In more severe injuries or illness like lingering diarrhea and vomiting, problems swallowing, rising fever, blood in urine or not drinking for more than 12 hours, call your child’s pediatrician first and they can help you determine whether you should take your child to the ER.

For many parents, it can sometimes be hard to tell how sick your child is. “If you are ever unsure of what do to, don’t hesitate to call your child’s doctor first and they can assist in deciding on a proper course of action,” says Dr. Bonner. “On-call physicians are available after hours and on weekends.”

“In cases when your child’s illness or injury is life threatening or may cause permanent damage, visit the local emergency room,” says Dr. Christopher Haines, medical director of Emergency Medicine at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. These symptoms can include:

• Unconsciousness or no response when you talk to your child
• Rhythmic jerking and/or loss of consciousness (a seizure)
• Increasing effort or trouble with breathing
• Skin or lips that look blue, purple, or gray
• Neck stiffness or a rash with fever
• Increasing or severe persistent pain
• A cut that is large, deep, or involves the head, chest, or abdomen
• Bleeding that does not stop after applying pressure for 5 minutes
• A burn that is large and/or involves the hands, feet, groin, chest, or face
• Any loss of consciousness, confusion, headache or vomiting after a head injury

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