When to call your child’s doctor: Bone Marrow Transplant (182001)

Key points below

Call the BMT Clinic at 414-266-2420, option #3.
After hours, urgent calls will be transferred to the Children’s Wisconsin Operator and you will ask for the BMT Physician on-call to be paged.

Alert

Call 911 or emergency services right away if:

Your child is not breathing.
You cannot feel your child’s heart beating.
Your child’s skin and lips look blue.
Your child is having a seizure.
You cannot wake your child (loss of consciousness).

What are the signs of infection with low white blood cells (WBCs)?

Call the doctor right away if your child has these signs of infection:

A temperature of 101.0 F (38.3 C) or higher. Do not wait to see if the temperature goes up again before you call. It is important to let the doctor know every time your child’s temperature goes up.
Shaking and chills (rigors, cold). These may go with fever and can be a sign of serious infection. Your child’s doctor will want to see your child right away, or your child may need to be seen in the Emergency Room.
You should call your child’s doctor if your child has any of these signs of infection:
- Cough
- Pain
- Swelling or lumps anywhere
- Earache
- Red, tender skin
- Trouble passing urine (peeing)
- Sore Throat
- Fast breathing
- Burning, pain or blood when passing urine

What are the signs of low platelets (PLTs)?

If your child has any signs of bleeding, they may need a platelet transfusion. Call the doctor right away if your child has any of these symptoms:

Bleeding - red blood that will not stop with 5 to10 minutes of constant pressure.
Increased bruising - purple areas that may have a bump.
Petechiae - small red spots on the skin (the size of freckles).
Black, tarry stools.
Red blood in stools.
Pink color or red clots in urine.
What are the symptoms of low hemoglobin (red cells or RBCs)?

What are the symptoms of low hemoglobin (red cells or RBCs)?

Call the doctor right away if your child has any of the following symptoms. A red cell transfusion may be needed.

Weak, very sleepy.
Dizzy or light headed.
Headache.
Fast pulse (heartbeats).

What are the signs of Graft vs. Host Disease (GVHD)?

GVHD can appear in many ways. The most common areas are the skin, the gastrointestinal tract (gut) or the liver. Call the doctor right away if your child has any of the following symptoms or changes in current condition.

Skin symptoms:
- Mild, red, or raised rash.
- Dry and peeling skin.
Gastrointestinal symptoms (gut):
- Dry and sore mouth.
- Heartburn and nausea.
- Diarrhea with abdominal cramping.
- Watery or abnormal color stool.
Liver symptoms:
- Pain in the right side.

For more information

https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents

Alert:

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

Has a temperature of 101.0 F (38.3 C) or higher.
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, take your infant to see a doctor.
Is not passing urine in a normal amount or as often.
Has liquid stools that continue for 24 hours.
Does not have a bowel movement in 3 days.
Has a break in their central line (CVL/PICC).
Is unable to take medicines.
Has a change or an increase in skin rashes.
Has pain or discomfort.
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. It is important to tell the doctor about these changes.
Has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.