a and e 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

What is a pneumothorax? A pneumothorax is where air leaks out of the lung. This air becomes trapped between the space between the outside of the lung and the inside of the ribcage (an area called the pleural space). The air can squash the lung and cause some or all of the lung to collapse.…...

What is a head injury? Minor head injuries are very common and simply cause a bump, bruise or small cut or graze. Sometimes the brain can be injured, and this is known as a traumatic brain injury. Concussion is a term for a mild traumatic brain injury that can happen after a head injury....

What is a pulled elbow? A pulled elbow is a common childhood injury. It results from a slight movement of the radius, which is a bone in the forearm. Usually there is a strong, stretchy band called a ligament that holds the radius bone in place, but after an injury the ligament can be...

What is a fit? Watching your child have a fit can be a very frightening experience. You may even think that your child is dying. However fits are not as serious as they look. A fit is a disturbance of electrical activity in the brain that causes messages to become mixed up. There are...

What is fever? Normal body temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius. A raised body temperature is often a sign of infection and is common in children when they are unwell. A fever is a raised temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher and is best measured using a digital thermometer if possible....

The metacarpals are the hand bones leading up to your fingers. The 5th metacarpal leads to the little (5th) finger. This can sometimes be injured either at the neck (close to the knuckle), the shaft (the long bit of the bone), or the base (near the wrist). A fracture is a break in the bone…...

Your child has had a febrile convulsion It is very frightening and distressing to see your child having a seizure. You may even have thought your child was dead or dying. Many parents think this when they first see a febrile convulsion. We have produced this information resource so that you may know...

What is croup? Croup is a general term applied to symptoms resulting from swelling of the larynx (voice box). It is commonly caused by a viral infection and occurs mainly in the autumn and winter months. Young children between the ages of 3 months and 3 years are affected. It tends to affect boys...

This resource describes how to care for your child after they have had a burn and what to expect while the burn is healing. Dressings If your child has had a dressing applied please keep the dressing dry. If the dressing gets wet, please return to the Emergency Department to have it changed. There...

What causes diarrhoea and vomiting? Children may develop diarrhoea or vomiting for a variety of reasons. Most commonly it is due to gastroenteritis. This is usually a viral infection ‘stomach bug’. Vomiting usually lasts for 1 to 2 days but diarrhoea can persist for 5 to 7 days. Tummy...