Common reasons for children’s hospital admissions: A guide for parents
As parents, we do our best to keep our little ones safe, but let's face it, kids are natural-born thrill-seekers.
Whether it's scaling the monkey bars, chasing the family dog, or navigating the treacherous terrain of the living room, our adventurers are bound to take a tumble now and then.
While the occasional scraped knee or banged-up elbow may be unavoidable, understanding the most common childhood injuries and why they happen can help us stay one step ahead of the game.
From gravity-defying falls to animal-induced mishaps, we'll dive into the top culprits and uncover simple strategies to keep our bundle of joys out of harm's way.
Common reasons for children's hospital admissions: What parents should know
To help parents understand what might land their little one in the hospital, we asked Fedhealth, a leading medical aid provider in South Africa, for the most common reasons children are admitted to the hospital.
Here's what they told us, along with some practical tips on what to do if these situations arise.
Broken bones
Children are naturally energetic and while this is great for their health and development, it also means they’re more prone to accidents.
According to Fedhealth, in 2023, there were 359 hospital admissions for broken bones in kids under four years old.
But as children get older, the risk increases - 916 children aged five to nine were admitted for fractures.
Most of these breaks were in the arms, followed by fractures in the hands, wrists, or fingers. The common symptoms to look out for include swelling, pain, and difficulty moving the affected limb.
If you think your child has a broken bone, the first step is to immobilise the limb and get them to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible.
Doctors will likely take an X-ray to confirm the fracture and then apply a cast or splint to keep the bone stable while it heals—usually for about four to six weeks.
Stopping your child from jumping back into high-risk activities while healing is often the biggest challenge. Luckily, bones in young children tend to heal quickly and without complications, especially if the fracture isn’t too severe.
ENT issues
Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) problems are among the most common reasons children get sick, especially once they start attending school and are exposed to more germs.
Ear infections, in particular, are frequent in young children due to the small size of their eustachian tubes, which makes it easier for bacteria to get trapped.
They reported that 561 children under 14 were admitted to the hospital for respiratory conditions in 2023, with 73% of these admissions involving kids aged four or younger. While these illnesses - like colds, ear infections, and tonsillitis - can be uncomfortable, they typically don’t require hospitalisation, especially in older children.
ENT issues are usually managed with pain relief, decongestants, and lots of rest. If the infection is bacterial, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Ingestion of harmful substances
Young children are curious by nature and sometimes this curiosity leads them to swallow things they shouldn’t. Ingesting household cleaners, medications, or even small objects can be dangerous.
Thankfully, in 2023, Fedhealth recorded only 20 hospital admissions due to poisoning, with 12 of these cases involving children aged one to four.
If your child ingests something harmful, they could show symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or trouble breathing. The best course of action is to seek medical help right away.
Treatment might include administering an antidote to counteract the poison or using activated charcoal, which helps absorb the harmful substance before it can cause further damage.
Burns
Burns can happen quickly at home, whether from hot liquids, steam, or even electrical outlets. These injuries can range from minor first-degree burns, which only affect the outer layer of skin, to more severe second or third-degree burns that cause deeper damage.
In 2023, the medical aid scheme reported only eight hospital admissions for burns in children under nine years old, suggesting that most burns are minor and can be treated at home.
For small burns, run cool water over the affected area immediately and cover it with a clean, non-stick bandage. It’s also a good idea to keep a burn treatment product in your first-aid kit, such as a hydrogel bandage, which helps cool and soothe the skin.
Understanding the common risks that come with childhood can help parents feel more in control. While it’s impossible to prevent every accident or illness, knowing what to do in an emergency can make a big difference.