Posted on : 25/08/2025      Views : 208

When to See a Paediatrician: Signs Your Child May Need Urgent Care

Deciding on when your child needs immediate medical attention can be slightly confusing, if not impossible. Usually, mild fever and a cold are common among very young children. However, can this be treated as just a common symptom, or is this something more serious? The answer lies in how persistent the symptom is, and does your child comes up with a different symptom the next day.

This can be ascertained by your paediatrician after conducting a thorough examination.

This article is aimed at creating awareness of when to see a paediatrician.

Paediatric Emergency Signs

When it comes to Paediatric care, an equal amount of caution needs to be maintained as much as it would be required in case of adult healthcare. Recognising early signs can save you from potentially larger threats, and childcare is no different.

Here are some points to keep in mind when it comes to deciding whether to see a paediatrician.

• While fever is a natural way of fighting infection, a persistent high fever that continues for more than a couple of days needs immediate attention from a paediatrician.
• Changes in breathing patterns, like deep breathing, difficulty in breathing or even inability to speak, may require immediate attention from a paediatrician
• Symptoms that indicate signs of vomiting, diarrhoea or dehydration
• Behavioural changes noticed in your child’s vision or reflexes
• Skin infection or rashes that persist for over a week
• Severe headache and discomfort resulting in persistent crying
• Refusal to eat and drink at regular intervals
• Injury or trauma

Frequent Paediatric consultation for the initial few years after the birth of your child is mandatory based on the mother's and child's health. However, after the initial period, it is important to understand when your child may require immediate attention by observing emergency signs as indicated above. Hence, it is important to consistently monitor your child’s health.

If you or a loved one is unable to decide on “who is the best paediatrician near me” to approach for consultation, please feel free to visit our paediatric experts at United Hospital today. A compassionate approach with a personal touch is how our experts take care of your child. Don’t wait when it comes to your child’s health concerns. Quick action can save your child from life-threatening complications.

Read more: How to Prepare Your Child for a Hospital Visit?

Frequently Asked Questions

• My child has fever for the last two days. Do I need to see a paediatrician immediately?
  Ascertain the intensity of the fever. Check if the fever is consistently high. If temperatures exceed 100 degrees Celsius, see a paediatrician immediately.


• How do I know that my child could be suffering from dehydration?
  Watch for symptoms like dry mouth, drooping or tired eyes and persistent drowsiness. These may indicate a possible dehydration.


• Are Skin rashes a dangerous sign for infants and young children?
  Yes, especially when they are accompanied by fever and headache. They may indicate something different. Hence, see a paediatrician immediately.


• My Child’s breathing patterns vary frequently. Do I need a paediatrician’s opinion?
  Yes, Infact instantly, as a respiratory issue, even a minor one, should never be taken lightly and addressed immediately.


• What is Child Malnutrition all about?
  This is a condition which combines undernutrition and overnutrition in children and can result in something more serious, like impacting growth and development in children