B r e n t w o o d p e d i a t r i c s, p

B R E N T W O O D P E D I A T R I C S, P.C.
1600 South Brentwood, Suite 100
St. Louis, MO 63144
Of ice 314/918-8827 Exchange 314/362-4426 Fax 314/918-9391
SUSAN E. ADAMS, MD
JEAN E. BIRMINGHAM, MD
JOSHUA C. SMITH, MD
After hour and weekend phone cal s should be for emergencies only.
Limit your calls to those that really are necessary and cannot wait until the office opens. Please refer to the information below, which addresses most questions. When the doctor calls, please identify yourself, your child and your child’s usual doctor. If we do not return your call In 30 minutes, please call back (the doctor may be involved in an emergency). Please keep your line open.
PEDIATRIC EMERGENCIES
FOR NON-EMERGENT PROBLEMS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW OR CALL 454-KIDS AT ST. LOUIS CHILDREN’S
HOSPITAL.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY FOR THE FOLLOWING
SYMPTOMS
FEVER: Most fevers are beneficial and help fight infection. If the child is uncomfortable and is older than 3 months of age,
AND CONDITIONS:
you may give Tylenol (acetaminophen). If the child is older than 6 months of age, you may give Tylenol and/or Motrin (ibuprofen). Call the office in the morning for an appointment if the fever or pain persists, unless signs of a medical • Infants less than 2 months with fever over 99° underarm. emergency appear (see instructions at left). Fever less than 106° does not damage a child’s brain, and most can be safely • Fever and/or pain in back of neck or stif neck in an il child. • Fever greater than 105° if the cause is unknown. COUGH: A cough is a protective mechanism that clears mucus from the airway. If your child has a nebulizer or inhaler at
• Head injury involving loss of consciousness, persistent home, it is okay to start using it for the cough. If the cough persists or worsens, please call the office. If your child is in respiratory distress or if the nails turn blue, go to the nearest Emergency Room. If your child makes a loud noise when • Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, sunken eyes, lethargy, no CROUP: Croup is a seal-like barking cough caused by a virus. Keep the child calm, provide a cool mist humidifier, and offer
fluids. If tight cough persists, have the child sit in a steamed-up bathroom or take them outside in cool moist air to decrease coughing. If stil severe after 15 minutes, if child’s lips or nails turn blue or dusky, or if he/she has dif iculty swallowing or is worsening at any time, go to the Emergency Room. VOMITING AND DIARRHEA: If breastfeeding, continue to do so. For a child who is vomiting, give Pedialyte in small
Severe pain in the right lower side that persists over 2 hours amounts frequently for 12-24 hours, then slowly advance diet. Frozen Pedialyte pops, or Popsicles, are an excellent alternative. Call if signs/symptoms of dehydration (see left). Avoid large amounts of juices (diarrhea worsens) or excessive Extreme irritability or persistent inconsolable crying for over water intake (can cause electrolyte abnormalities). CONSTIPATION: A child is not constipated unless their stools are very hard. In older children, increase water and fiber
An injured extremity that is grossly deformed or crooked. consumption. In all children older than 4 months of age, you may give prune juice or pear juice. In infants less than 4 months. Call our office in the morning for an appointment. EARACHE: Give Tylenol for pain and/or fever. If the child is older than 6 months of age, you may use Motrin. You also
IF YOUR CHILD IS IN SEVERE RESPIRATORY
may try putting a small piece of dry cotton in the child’s ear, or holding a warm washcloth against the ear (protect from burns). Call our office in the morning for an appointment. DISTRESS, CANNOT BREATHE, OR IS TURNING
SORE THROAT: Most are caused by viral Infections. If fever, headache, and/or abdominal pain are present, or if your child
BLUE, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.
has been exposed to strep throat, it is important that strep throat be ruled out, call our office for an appointment. If red sandpaper rash occurs, do not be alarmed (strep rash). Give Tylenol or Motrin, cool liquids, Popsicles, etc. Call our office in EYE INFECTION: Pink eye can be a common complication from a cold. Apply cool compresses, and gently wipe drainage
ALL INGESTIONS, CALL: 1-800-222-1222
from the eye. Call the office in the morning if redness persists or worsens, or if there is drainage from the eye. POISON CONTROL
RASH WITHOUT FEVER: These usually are not serious. You may give Benedryl, Aveeno baths, or apply unscented lotion.
If the child is on an antibiotic, stop using the medication and call the office in the morning. BEE AND/OR BUG BITES: Place ice on the affected area. Give Tylenol or Motrin for pain. Give Benadryl if the child
complains of itching. If the child exhibits trouble breathing or has a history of allergic reaction to insect bites, go to the

Source: http://brentwoodpediatricsstl.com/emergencyInstructions.pdf