​Every day, children requiring medical attention seek help at the Children's Emergency.

It is important for parents and caregivers to know when to seek immediate help at the Children's Emergency and when non-urgent conditions can be treated by primary care physicians (family doctor or polyclinic), or even virtually via teleconsult.

The Department of Emergency Medicine at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), a member of the SingHealth group, shares more.

How to recognise children's emergency situations

Parents can take note of the following signs and symptoms that require immediate evaluation and treatment at the Children's Emergency. 

These include, and are not limited to:

  • Serious accidents – road traffic accidents, falls from a height, near drowning

  • Deep cuts or wounds, animal or human bites, severe burns

  • Broken bones or dislocated joints

  • Poison ingestion or inhalation

  • Head injuries – with drowsiness, persistent vomiting

  • Loss of consciousness or seizures

  • Change in behaviour – drowsiness, confusion or irritability

  • Looking pale, ashen or blue

  • Severe difficulty breathing

  • Persistent vomiting or refusal to drink – with tiredness, decreased urine

  • Blood in vomit or greenish vomitus

  • Sudden and severe tummy pain

  • Sudden headache with neck stiffness

  • Fever in infants less than three months old

  • Deterioration in a child with a known chronic illness

How to recognise children's non-emergency situations

It is equally important for parents to recognise non-urgent conditions. Minor conditions such as the common cold, viral fever, mild gastroenteritis and minor injuries usually do not require immediate attention at the Children's Emergency. 

This is especially if your child is:

  • Alert, fairly active, able to interact with caregivers and able to play (in between periods of fever)

  • Drinking adequately or able to retain oral fluids

  • Not having any of the symptoms stated in the list of emergency situations above

3 Services offered by KKH when your child requires medical care

Parents can use the following services by the KKH Children’s Emergency for medical care for their child:


1) KK TelePaeds

KK TelePaeds is a pilot service led by specialists from the KKH Children’s Emergency, which offers teleconsultations for a child’s non-emergency medical needs.

Teleconsultation enables accessibility to quality care at home, while reducing waiting time and exposure to other infections.

Medication can be delivered to the preferred location within four hours following the teleconsult. 

Children aged three to 17 years old and with the following conditions can benefit from this service:

  • Respiratory tract illnesses (e.g. cough, runny nose, sore throat) with fever for less than five days

  • Diarrhoea, constipation, mild abdominal cramps

  • Dry skin, eczema flare, or skin infection

  • Itchy or mildly red eyes


2. KKH Urgent Paediatric Advice Line (U-PAL)

KKH U-PAL is a free online chatbot service that is available 24 hours daily, for parents and caregivers to seek advice for common paediatric conditions such as: 

  • Fever, 

  • Cough, 

  • Diarrhoea, vomiting and 

  • Common injuries

In addition to general medical advice, it also helps to direct parents to seek the appropriate level of care according to the child’s needs – at the Children’s Emergency, primary care (family doctor or polyclinic), teleconsult, or to continue monitoring at home.


3. PaedsENGAGE (ENGagement And GP Empowerment)

Parents can bring their child to a PaedsENGAGE General Practitioners (GP) partner for medical help. 

PaedsENGAGE is a pilot programme led by KKH and National University Hospital (NUH), where GPs partner with the hospitals’ Children’s Emergency to right-site care for mild-to-moderate conditions in children. 

Partner GPs undergo an educational training programme to equip them with the skills and knowledge to manage common conditions in children.

As the main caregiver, you are in the best position to assess your child's condition. It's important to trust your instincts and seek medical attention at the place that is most appropriate for your child’s health needs.

Your child's well-being is the top priority. By making informed decisions, you can help ensure that your child receives the timely attention he/she needs during a serious emergency.

Ref: H24

Related articles:

Children's Fever: Home Remedies and When to See a Doctor

Tips to Manage Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis) in Children

Children's Injuries: How to Prevent and What to Do

Child Injuries FAQs - Our Doctor Answers!

Toy Safety Tips for Children

Tips to Child-Proof Your Living Room

How to Choose the Best Car Safety Seat for a Child (By Age)

KKH Children and Teens Trauma Resource