Emergency Department Archives - Resource Library - Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

This resource is for children with constipation who are attending the Emergency Department. Our general advice on constipation. Constipation Constipation is very common. If your child is constipated, they may find it very difficult to do a poo or have trouble knowing when they need to go to the...

What is a faint? A faint happens when blood flow to the brain is reduced. This can be for a few reasons and causes the brain to temporarily ‘shut down’. This in turn makes the body faint or collapse. Before someone faints they may complain of feeling unwell, become pale, sweaty or clammy and...

What is an acute knee injury?  An acute knee injury is a recent trauma to the knee, which could involve the bones or soft tissues within the knee. A sprain is when a ligament has been twisted, stretched or torn. A strain is when the muscle or soft tissue has been overstretched or has...

What is sepsis? Sepsis is an emergency medical condition where the immune system overreacts to an infection. It affects people of all ages and, without urgent treatment, can lead to organ failure and death. The numbers are staggering – 245,000 people develop sepsis every year in the UK, and 48,000...

When a baby is in the womb, the umbilical cord is the way that they get blood supply and nutrients from the mother. Once the baby is born, the cord is clamped and cut, leaving a small stump. Over the next 1 or 2 weeks, this will slowly start to change colour, dry out and… Continue Reading...

What is an umbilical granuloma? An umbilical granuloma is a common condition affecting newborn babies and commonly seen in the first few weeks of life. It is a small, moist, pink or red growth of the tissue at the belly button, after the umbilical cord stump falls off. A yellowish, or sometimes...

Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some people. Having the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is the best way to prevent it. You are receiving this information as it is believed your child may have measles. A swab has been taken from your child...

What is chicken pox? Chicken pox is a common childhood viral illness. What causes chicken pox? It is caused by a virus called varicella. What are the symptoms of chicken pox? It starts with red bumps that become small, yellowish blisters affecting the whole body, including the mouth and genitals...

The acute assessment unit (AAU) AAU is a busy 14 bedded unit. The unit is usually used for referrals, short stay admissions and Emergency Department (ED) patients that we need to watch for a longer time. Please use the use the entrance for the Emergency Department to get to AAU. Please bring any...

We understand that this is a worrying time and you are very concerned about your child. Hopefully this information will answer some of the questions you may have about your visit. Your journey through the Emergency Department Once you have booked in at the Emergency Department reception, please take...

We know that the last few years have been hard for everyone but there are a lot of organisations out there who may be able to provide the help you need to see you through. They may be able to help you increase your income, get access to the essentials, and become more involved in… Continue...

What are Navigators? Navigators support young people who may be involved in violence at home, school or in the community. When someone comes to Sheffield Children’s for help with a health problem related to violence, Navigators will offer support. This could be in the Emergency Department, if...

You are coming to this clinic because you may be constipated and are having problems going to the toilet. When you and your parents talk to the doctor or nurse you may hear words like bowel movements, motions or stools. All of these words mean the same as poo. You may have a different word…...

What is bronchiolitis? Bronchiolitis is an infection of the smallest breathing passages in the lungs (the bronchioles) which causes them to become inflamed. These small airway passages can become swollen and can produce sticky secretions, which makes it more difficult to breath. Babies and toddlers...

Paracetamol Paracetamol (often called Calpol) can be used for pain relief. For example it can be used for headaches, pain after an injury and to help reduce temperatures. More information on fever can be found here Emergency department advice for the care of children with fever. In what forms can...

What happens when a child swallows something they shouldn’t? Children sometimes swallow foreign objects such as coins, toys and batteries. When an object is swallowed it will normally travel through the digestive system (see picture) without causing any problems or side effects.   If your...

Throat and ear infections are the most common reasons for a child to become unwell. These include tonsillitis and otitis media (middle ear infection). Most of these infections are not dangerous and do not respond to antibiotics. There are things that can be done to help and some important things to...

Why is my child limping? We see many children who have been brought to the Emergency Department because they have developed a limp (or pain somewhere in the affected leg) for no clear reason. Usually, no tests are required. Sometimes, X-rays of the hip or lower limbs are performed, especially if...

What is a mallet finger? A mallet finger is an injury to the end of the finger that causes it to bend inwards towards the palm and prevents it from being straightened. This is because the tendon that usually straightens the fingertip has stretched or torn. It may also be painful and swollen. What...

Your child has sustained a ‘buckle’ fracture (break) of their wrist. This is the most common type of fracture in young children. What is a buckle fracture? Children’s bones are softer and more flexible than adults so instead of breaking all the way through it will often bend on one...

Why does my child need sedation? Your child needs sedation because they are due to have a procedure that may be painful or distressing. This could be something like cleaning and stitching a wound, or repositioning a broken bone. Sedation can make your child sleepy and relaxed and it aims to reduce...

My child’s nose is swollen, is it broken? There is often swelling of the nose and tissues around it when a child injures their nose. It is often difficult to tell if an injury has occurred that requires treatment until the swelling settles. If it is broken, the majority heal without any problems....

What is wheeze? Wheeze is a whistling noise made in the chest, usually when breathing out. It happens when the airways (tubes carrying air to the lungs) become inflamed and narrowed, this is often due to a viral infection (cough or cold). Wheeze is extremely common in young children. One in three...