When To Call Your Child's Doctor

When To Call Your Child's Doctor

Jump to:
Print:

Call the Hematology Clinic at 414-266-2420, option #2.
After hours, urgent calls will be transferred to the Children’s Wisconsin Operator and you will ask for the Hematologist on-call to be paged.

ALERT:  Call 911 or emergency services right away if your child: 

  • Your child is not breathing or is having a very hard time breathing.
  • Has no heartbeat.
  • Has skin and lips look blue.
  • Is having a seizure and you have not been told that these can be managed at home.
  • Does not wake up after you have tried to wake them.  This is called loss of consciousness.

Call your doctor right away if:

They have these symptoms of low hemoglobin (red cells or RBCs)

A red cell transfusion may be needed.

• Weak 
• Very sleepy
• Dizzy or light headed
• Headache
• Fast pulse (heartbeats)
• Eyes or skin get more yellow
• Pale skin

Signs of gallbladder disease (cholecystitis)
• Extreme belly pain on the right side
• Upset stomach or throwing up
• Yellow eyes or skin

Signs of a severe infection
• Temperature of 101.5°F (38.5°C) or higher for 3 days or more
• Shaking and chills

Signs of heart disease
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath at any time: Breathing fast and shallow and feeling like you can’t get enough air
• Feeling light-headed or dizzy
• Fast heartbeat
• Irregular heartbeat

Signs of a neurological problem
• Seizure
• Extreme headache
• Not being able to pee
• Pooping accidents
• Problems using arms or legs 

Signs of a blood clot
• Swelling, redness, pain of an arm or leg
• Extreme headache
• Chest pain 
• Breathing fast and shallow and feeling like you can’t get enough air (Shortness of breath)

ALERT

Call your health care team if you have any other questions or concerns or if your child:

  • Is exposed to chicken pox or measles. Review the handout on chicken pox exposure.
  • Is not able to drink fluids or keep them in the stomach (throwing up) for 24 hours. 
  • If your infant has not been able to drink fluid or keep fluid in the stomach for 12 hours. 
  • Is not peeing at least 4 times a day.
  • Has liquid poop that keeps going for 24 hours.
  • Does not poop in 3 days.
  • Can’t take medicines.
  • Has tried what the doctor told your child to do and it is not working.
  • Has noticed any changes, even something like just feeling different than normal. 
  • Has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.

Draft Number: 1932Revision Date: January 1, 2023

This content was created to help you care for your child and/or family member. It does not take the place of medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.