Mom & Baby Care
When To Take Your Child To A Doctor? Here Are 5 Signs By A Paediatrician
By Dr Agni Sekhar Saha, Consultant Paediatrician, Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata- 22 May 2023, Updated on -16 June 2023
Share this article
0
1 like
![imgRoot](https://images.apollo247.in/pd-cms/cms/2023-05/Shutterstock_2169742133.jpg?tr=w-400,q-100,f-webp,c-at_max)
No matter how hard the parents try, kids fall ill quite often. While in most cases these illnesses resolve on their own, sometimes they may require medical assistance. It is paramount that such serious illnesses are recognized early at home so that proper treatment is started at the earliest. Delay in initiating treatment can indeed adversely affect the outcome. So, it is very helpful to have a checklist of signs that may indicate something serious is going on and we need to act urgently. Here is one such checklist that can be helpful, especially for new parents.
1. Change In Skin Colour
A visible change in the colour of the skin from normal to excessively pale or bluish may indicate poor blood supply and/ or lack of oxygen. Since both of these cases are serious, you must consult a child specialist if your child experiences a change in their skin colour.
2. Breathing Difficulty
You must consult a specialist if your baby is experiencing any difficulty in breathing. This difficulty may present as fast breathing or in-drawing of the abdomen. Sometimes, it may also be associated with some noisy breathing indicating a problem associated with the windpipes or the lungs. Rarely, breathing difficulty may also be a sign of some heart issues.
3. Drowsiness
Drowsiness is a state where your kid needs more than usual stimulation to wake up and is excessively sleepy. This indicates the brain is not working properly, which may happen for many reasons. This should always be taken seriously and must be informed to a specialist immediately.
4. Persistent Excessive Irritability
All children can be fussy and irritable for various reasons. However, due to their inherent nature, they usually calm down. If they remain restless for a prolonged period of time (say more than an hour), then you must consult a doctor to determine the underlying reason.
5. Spontaneous Bleeding
It is normal for kids to experience a nosebleed during the summer season. however, if it becomes frequent, consult a doctor immediately.
You must understand, the presence of any of these signs does not indicate anything serious. The doctor would need to perform the required tests to confirm any diagnosis. However, if such signs are always addressed properly then you can rest assured that you would not miss anything serious or critical. If you have more questions,
Medically reviewed by Dr Sonia Bhatt.
Mom & Baby Care
Leave Comment
Recommended for you
![](https://images.apollo247.in/pd-cms/cms/2023-05/17-05-2023-02D.png?tr=w-335,q-100,f-webp,c-at_max)
Mom & Baby Care
Moms-to-be and Moms: Mental health matters
Motherhood brings both joy and sadness. A new mother juggles her physical and mental health. Taking care of mental health with a good approach may help. #ApolloPharmacy #MomsMentalHealth #BeWithHer #CareForHer #GiveMomABreak
![](https://images.apollo247.in/pd-cms/cms/2023-01/Fertility22-1.jpg?tr=w-335,q-100,f-webp,c-at_max)
Mom & Baby Care
Food to Reduce Infertility Rate in Women’s
Infertility is the inability of the male or female reproductive system to achieve pregnancy. It affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 48 million people live with infertility globally.
![](https://images.apollo247.in/pd-cms/cms/2023-06/Shutterstock_2256995657.jpg?tr=w-335,q-100,f-webp,c-at_max)
Mom & Baby Care
Low BP During Pregnancy: Early Symptoms, Causes, Effects, Treatment
Discover what blood pressure readings are considered low during pregnancy and how they can fluctuate throughout the trimesters. Learn about the potential risks associated with low blood pressure, how to manage symptoms and when to seek medical attention.
Subscribe
Sign up for our free Health Library Daily Newsletter
Get doctor-approved health tips, news, and more.