Child sickness danger signals

Get help quickly from a doctor if your baby or young child shows any of the signs listed below.  Learn CPR to be prepared for emergencies.

General

·         Cannot be woken or is responding less than usual to what is going on around.

·         Has glazed eyes and is not focussing on anything

·         Seems more floppy, drowsy or less alert than usual.

·         Has a convulsion or fit

·         Has an unusual cry for one hour or more

·         Has been badly injured

·         There is a bulge in the groin which gets bigger with crying

Temperature

·         Feels too cold or hot (temperature is 38.3⁰C or higher)

Circulation and skin colour

·         Body is much paler than usual or suddenly goes very white.

·         Nails are blue or big toe is completely white, or colour does not return to the toe within three seconds of a squeeze

·         Has a rash of large red or blue spots or bruising

·         Goes blue around the mouth

Breathing

·         Goes blue around the mouth or stops breathing

·         Breathes more quickly than usual or grunts when breathing out

·         Wheezes when breathing out

·         There is visible indrawing of the chest with each breath.

Vomiting and Diarrhoea

·         Has vomited at least half the feed after each feed of the last three feeds

·         Has green vomit

·         Has vomiting and diarrhoea together

·         Has drunk lass fluid than usual

·         Has passed less urine than usual (fewer wet nappies). Has more than a tiny spot of blood in the nappy.

Emergency numbers:   Police/Fire/Ambulance 111

National Poisons Centre 0800 764766

Free 24 hour a day telephone health advice service

Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 if you need advice about a child of any age who is unwell or hurt, or has any symptoms of sickness.

Healthline is available 24 hours and is free to callers throughout New Zealand, including from a mobile phone.

Acknowledgements: From the Well Child Tamariki Ora Health Book