All Locations Open 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week

Newborn Emergencies

Newborn Emergency Room in San Antonio

Caring for a newborn can certainly be an adventure.

As a parent, you want your baby to be healthy, and sudden changes in their health or behavior can be frightening.

You should know that ER providers are trained and equipped to handle a variety of medical emergencies in newborns and infants.

At Prestige ER, we offer the services of a hospital-based ER with shorter wait times. We are ready 24/7 to provide the rapid and compassionate care your baby needs.

When to Take a Newborn to the Emergency Room

Here are some common reasons infants may need care in an ER:

Breathing Problems

Breathing problems in newborns can have several causes, including allergic reactions, pneumonia, or a simple cold. You should seek emergency care for the following:

  • Rapid breathing.
  • Shallow breathing.
  • Cyanosis (a lack of oxygen, indicated by bluish lips, face, and hands).
  • Gasping.
  • Grunting.
  • High-pitched breathing (stridor).
  • Flaring of the nose.
  • Retractions (pulling in of the chest or abdomen with each breath).

You may notice your newborn breathing irregularly at times. It is normal for healthy infants to stop breathing during sleep for five to 10 seconds and then begin breathing normally again. If you see this happen, and your baby has no other concerning symptoms, it may not be cause for concern.

Seek immediate medical attention if your newborn experiences:

  • Breathing issues: This includes stopping for 10 seconds or more, noisy breathing, or difficulty breathing.
  • Unresponsiveness: If your baby is not alert or doesn’t react to you.
  • Signs of RSV: RSV is a common infection, but in very young babies, it can be serious. Watch for congestion,coughing, wheezing, or bluish skin color (cyanosis).
  • Trouble feeding: If your baby isn’t taking in fluids, they risk dehydration.

Remember: When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and take your baby to the ER.

Choking

Choking in an infant is a medical emergency. If your baby is choking, call 911 immediately.

Symptoms may include:

  • Wheezing or gasping.
  • Being unable to cry or make noises.
  • Turning blue (lips, face, hands).
  • Waving their arms.
  • Appearing panicked.

Immediately after calling 911, begin CPR. Do not attempt to sweep for an object in their mouth or airway.

To perform CPR:

  1. Turn your baby onto their stomach with their head angled downward.
  2. Cradle their chest and chin with one arm and hand.
  3. With the other hand, deliver five firm slaps between their shoulder blades.
  4. Turn your baby onto their back and press down midway between their nipples with two fingers.
  5. Perform five chest trusts, then return to back slaps.

Continue CPR until they expel an object, they begin breathing normally (usually indicated by crying loudly), or paramedics arrive and take over CPR.

Head Injuries

If your infant or newborn has suffered a head injury, you should seek emergency care, especially when the injury is followed by sleepiness or unresponsiveness, changes in pupil size, irritability, or vomiting.

Fever

Fevers in children are common with routine illnesses and may only require monitoring and care at home.

Fevers in infants, especially newborns, are more concerning and have a lower threshold for seeking care.

You should always check your infant’s temperature using a rectal thermometer.

Follow these guidelines for seeking care in an emergency room:

  • Younger than three months: Seek care for a temperature over 100.4°F. A low temperature (less than 97.7°F) in newborns can also indicate serious illness.
  • From 3 to 6 months: See a provider for a temperature over 102°F or if your infant is irritable, lethargic, or has other concerning symptoms.
  • From 7 months to 1 year: Seek care for a temperature higher than 102°F that lasts for more than a day or sooner if accompanied by symptoms like a sore throat, vomiting, cough, or diarrhea.

If your baby is lethargic, has dry diapers, and is not taking in fluids, seek care for your infant or newborn in the emergency room.

Seizures

Seizures in infants can have many causes, from a fever to meningitis. You should seek care in the ER if your baby is having a seizure.

Symptoms of seizures in infants may include:

  • Chewing movements.
  • Rigid or flaccid muscles.
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Jerking of the arms and legs.
  • Unusual eye movements.

During a seizure, ensure your infant is safe. Try to determine how long the seizure lasts.

Bleeding

If your infant is bleeding due to a wound or cut, especially if a cut is deep or the bleeding is significant or difficult to stop, you should seek emergency care.

Internal bleeding can be indicated by pink or reddened urine or dark, tarry, or sticky stools.

Burns

Burns in infants can be caused by contact with hot objects, scalding water, electricity, or caustic household chemicals.

You should seek emergency medical care for burns in infants, especially if the skin is disrupted or peeling, an electric shock or chemicals caused the burn, sensitive areas are affected (face, hands, feet, joints, or genitals), or the burn covers more than 10% of the body.

Immediately after a burn, run cool, clean water over the burn. You may apply antibiotic ointment with a sterile, nonstick bandage before covering the burn.

Newborn Emergency Care

We know it can be frightening and confusing for parents when their infant develops medical issues.

At Prestige ER, we want you to be informed and to know when to seek emergency care. Medical emergencies in infants unfold rapidly, and time is of the essence. We prioritize rapid diagnosis and treatment.

For a trusted ER for infants near you, visit any of our San Antonio locations. Call us with any questions.