a&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...

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...

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...

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...

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 Mepitel? Mepitel is a non-stick silicone dressing that is very versatile as it can be used on all types of wounds including covering stitches, steristrips and skin glue. What does Mepitel do? Mepitel acts as a protective layer between the wound and the dressing, allowing fluid to pass...

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....

What is a brief resolved unexplained event? A brief resolved unexplained event, or ‘BRUE’, is a condition that affects children under 12 months old. A BRUE can be a very frightening experience for parents. During a BRUE your baby may: change colour (pale, grey or blue) look like they...

Your child has a broken collar bone (also known as the clavicle). A broken bone is sometimes referred to as a crack or fracture – these all mean the same thing. Why did my child not have an X-ray? Most children with a broken collar bone do not require an x-ray. In fact, we don’t…...

There are many ways to access advice and treatment in today’s NHS. Using the most appropriate route is helpful for yourselves, other patients, and the NHS. Sometimes, when children attend the Emergency Department it is because it is unclear where to go and this seems to be the most straightforward...