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Home › Articles › General Health › Taking Baby to the ER

Taking Baby to the ER

What You Should Know Before You Go

By Aneema Van Groenou, M.D.

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Your child's first emergency room visit can be intimidating – not just for your little one, but for you, too. It's hard enough to see your child in pain, but the long wait, sterile surroundings and uncomfortable probing and testing can be even more distressing. Being well prepared to cope with the ER will help you and your child get the most out of the visit.

Should You Go?
The biggest question on your mind may be whether you need to go to the ER at all. What constitutes an emergency may depend on what you feel comfortable with, whether the problem has occurred before and even what day of the week or time of night it is (if your pediatrician's office is closed).

The most important consideration, however, is how your child looks. Is she behaving normally? How is her energy level? How well is she eating? Has she been urinating regularly? How is she sleeping? Is she fussy? Does she stop crying when you console her? How does she look to you right now? As an emergency physician, I ask parents who bring their children in for evaluation these questions. I rely on the parent's intuition to help understand their child's illness – so be honest.

How to Choose an ER
Choosing where you are going to take your child may not be as straightforward as driving to the nearest hospital. You may have several options available to you. Depending on your insurance coverage, your location or your doctor's recommendation, you may choose an urgent care center (usually open late and on weekends), an ER in a full-service hospital (open 24/7) or an ER in a children's hospital (also open 24/7). Deciding where to take your child should depend on what is closest to you, where your child has been seen before (having previous records can be very helpful) and which facility your physician recommends (ideally, where she works).


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