As parents, it’s helpful to know that not every injury, accident, or onset of some physical condition requires a visit to the ER. However, there are special circumstances that do. Most pediatrician offices are not equipped to deal with emergencies, so Dr. Jamie Kondis, Pediatrician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, helps to identify when to bring your child to the emergency room. One of the biggest reasons would be if your child is having difficulty breathing characterized by gasping for air, a change in skin color, or abnormal chest movements. Swallowing medication or foreign objects, major trauma such as lacerations or broken bones, and dehydration due to vomiting or diarrhea also require emergency assistance. Most of the time, conditions requiring an ER visit are treatable without being admitted but it is important to get there as quickly as possible so your child can receive the necessary medical attention.
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