SERVICES

CRITICAL CARE (PICU AND NICU)

Few things are more worrisome to parents than a sick child. Fortunately, most illnesses are harmless and mild, resolving on their own without the need for emergency care. Others, however, can be more alarming. Her expertise, coupled with her tender nature and attention to detail is what sets Dr Mason apart. As a specialist paediatrician, these qualities allow her to treat her little patients with the best possible care, providing exceptional emergency paediatric care for acute conditions and critical care.

As parents, it is important to pay attention to signs and symptoms that may indicate a more serious issue and require urgent care - especially if your child has an ongoing medical condition or allergy. For parents of a sick child, it can be tricky deciding whether or not medical attention is needed. With any illness, asses your child in terms of the following aspects if you are questioning seeing your paediatrician:

• My child is looking alert & orientated.
• My child may not be eating but has good fluid intake.
• My child has no difficulty breathing.
• My child has no localised pain.
• My child fever is responsive medication.
• My child's illness has not been ongoing for longer than 24 hours.

If any of the above-mentioned aspects was not marked, you should see your paediatrician. In such cases, Dr Mason can provide an emergency appointment and pre-hospital care as well as continue treatment in the paediatric or neonatal intensive care unit (PICU and NICU) when necessary.

The following signs and symptoms should also raise a concern and be checked by your paediatrician promptly:

• A high fever - this is a temperature higher than 38°C. A fever becomes problematic if it is ongoing for more than 24 hours
• severe pale skin
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• acute pain
• headache
• abdominal pain
• constipation
• seizures
• noisy breathing
• epilepsy
• severe trauma
• major burns

For urgent or emergency paediatric care, you should proceed to Life Anncron Hospital's emergency unit and ask the nurse to contact Dr Mason on arrival.