Kids are wild, curious, and always on the move. Accidents and sudden sickness can hit them anytime. One second, you see your kid playing happily, and the next they’re holding a swollen wrist or struggling to breathe. For parents, these moments freeze time. But when you take your kid somewhere trustworthy, much of that weight lifts off your shoulders.
We’ve put together a list of common pediatric emergencies so you aren’t caught off guard when something happens to your kid. At Silverlake ER, we know kids aren’t just small adults. Their airways are smaller and block more easily. Their skin is thinner, making burns worse. We provide immediate care tailored specifically to pediatric patients.
9 Common Pediatric Emergencies
Let’s talk about some of the most common pediatric emergencies and how Silverlake ER helps:
1.   Persistent Fever
A fever over 100.4°F in babies under three months old is a big deal. For older kids, anything above 104°F is a red flag.
At Silverlake ER, we closely monitor the child’s heart rate, temperature, and breathing to ensure they are normal. Our team runs blood, urine, and other tests to determine the cause of the fever.
Based on the child’s needs, we provide age-appropriate doses of fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Since fevers can cause dehydration, we rehydrate children with IV fluids.
2.   Breathing Troubles
Breathing troubles in children can occur due to a number of possible reasons, including infections, allergies, and asthma. Sometimes kids swallow things, like coins, toys, and buttons. If your child starts coughing, gagging, or having trouble breathing, it’s an emergency.
At Silverlake ER, we use blowing techniques, catheters, and other child-friendly equipment to remove foreign objects. Children with breathing difficulties receive supplemental oxygen. Since kids have smaller airways, we use smaller breathing tubes and gentler suctioning.
For asthma attacks, we use nebulizers to deliver medication directly into the airways. If a child can’t drink due to breathing problems, we keep them hydrated with IV fluids. We may perform X-rays to identify the underlying cause of breathing issues, such as pneumonia.
3.   Head Injuries
Kids’ brains are still developing, even mild concussions are taken seriously. If your child loses consciousness, seems confused, or vomits after hitting their head, reach the Silverlake ER.
Any visible cuts or lacerations will be cleaned and dressed appropriately. We run diagnostic imaging tests like CT scans to check for concussions, fractures, or other internal injuries.
4.   Fractures
Kids’ bones are still growing so fractures are common. If your child has a bad fall and their arm or leg is swollen, hurts, or looks bent, they may have a fracture. When a child arrives at Silverlake ER with a bone fracture, we check for swelling, bruising, or deformity.
If the injury looks serious, the doctor may order an X-ray to see the break. If the bone is still in place, we may put a cast or splint to keep it stable while it heals. In rare cases, surgery is needed for severe breaks.
5.   Cuts, Burns, & Wounds
You can handle your kids’ small scrapes at home. But deep cuts that won’t stop bleeding, burns with blisters, or wounds that look infected need emergency care.
At Silverlake ER, we clean and disinfect wounds to prevent infection. Before stitching, we apply numbing gel to reduce pain. For kids, we use dissolvable stitches or medical glue to avoid the stress of removal later, then apply a dressing.
Pain management is crucial since burns can be especially painful for children. If a wound is deep or dirty, a tetanus shot and antibiotics may be given to prevent infection.
6.   Severe Allergic Reactions
Kids’ immune systems can overreact quickly, causing swelling that blocks airways. Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. It can occur seconds or minutes after exposure to an allergen, such as peanuts or a bee sting.
If your child’s face or lips start swelling, they’re struggling to breathe, or hives are spreading quickly, rush to the Silverlake ER.
If mild, antihistamines help reduce itching and swelling. If severe (like swelling in the throat), epinephrine and steroids may be given to prevent breathing problems.
7.   Poisoning
If your child swallows something toxic, like medication, or household cleaners, don’t wait to get help. We provide treatment to flush out harmful substances, give antidotes, or monitor for complications. For severe cases, they may need dialysis to remove toxins from the blood.
8.   Seizures
Seizures in children happen due to high fever (febrile seizures), epilepsy, infections, or other medical conditions. Signs include uncontrolled shaking, staring spells, or loss of consciousness.
At Silverlake ER, we monitor breathing, and may give seizure-stopping medications through IV or nasal spray. For febrile seizures, cooling the body with fever reducers and fluids can help prevent another episode. Kids are closely monitored for brain activity to rule out epilepsy or infections like meningitis.
9.   Dehydration
Vomiting, diarrhea, and not drinking enough fluids can lead to dehydration fast. Signs include dry lips, no tears when crying, and little to no urination.
We provide IV fluids and medicine to stop nausea and vomiting, making sure your child gets the hydration they need to feel better.
Choose Silverlake ER for Pediatric Emergencies
Kids don’t wait for a convenient time to get sick or hurt—that’s why our team is here 24/7. We’ve handled countless pediatric emergencies, and we’ll do everything we can to help your child feel better.
We keep you updated every step of the way because we want you to feel involved. Let’s get your kid back to being a kid again.
FAQs
1. When should I take my child to the ER instead of urgent care?
If your child has trouble breathing, a high fever that won’t go down, a deep cut, a broken bone, a seizure, or any serious injury, head to the ER. Urgent care is better for mild illnesses like ear infections or minor colds.
2. What should I do if my child has a seizure?
Stay calm and move anything dangerous out of the way. Lay them on their side and don’t put anything in their mouth. If the seizure lasts more than five minutes, they have trouble breathing, or it’s their first seizure, get to the ER immediately.
3. How can I tell if my child’s breathing problem is serious?
If your child is gasping for air, breathing very fast, has bluish lips or skin, or is making loud wheezing or grunting sounds, get to the ER immediately.
