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Red Flags Station

Urgent, but still cute. Spot the danger fast.

🌡️ Fever Red Flags

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Signs

  • Age <3 months with fever
  • Lethargy / toxic appearance
  • Non-blanching rash
  • Persistent fever >5 days
  • Neck stiffness / seizures
❗

May Indicate

  • Sepsis
  • Meningitis
  • Serious bacterial infection (UTI, pneumonia)
🏥

Immediate Action

  • Full sepsis workup (blood, urine, cultures)
  • IV antibiotics if unwell
  • Admit if <3 months or toxic

🫁 Respiratory Distress

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Signs

  • Tachypnea (age-adjusted)
  • Nasal flaring
  • Chest indrawing / retractions
  • Grunting
  • Cyanosis or low SpO₂
❗

May Indicate

  • Bronchiolitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Asthma exacerbation
  • Airway obstruction
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Immediate Action

  • ABC approach first
  • Oxygen support
  • Nebulized bronchodilators if wheeze
  • Urgent admission if moderate–severe

💧 Dehydration Signs

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Signs

  • Dry mucous membranes
  • Sunken eyes / fontanelle
  • No tears when crying
  • Delayed capillary refill (>2–3 sec)
  • Reduced urine output / lethargy
❗

May Indicate

  • Gastroenteritis
  • Poor intake
  • Severe infection
🏥

Immediate Action

  • ORS if mild–moderate
  • IV isotonic fluids if severe
  • Monitor electrolytes and urine output

🦠 Sepsis Warning

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Signs

  • Fever or hypothermia
  • Poor feeding (infants)
  • Lethargy / floppy child
  • Tachycardia or poor perfusion
  • Delayed capillary refill
❗

May Indicate

  • Systemic bacterial infection
  • Septic shock risk
🏥

Immediate Action

  • Start IV antibiotics immediately (do not delay)
  • Fluid resuscitation (boluses)
  • Blood cultures + labs urgently
  • ICU if unstable

🧠 Neurological Red Flags

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Signs

  • Seizures (especially first or prolonged)
  • Bulging fontanelle (infants)
  • Persistent vomiting + headache
  • Altered consciousness
  • Regression of milestones
❗

May Indicate

  • Meningitis / encephalitis
  • Raised intracranial pressure
  • CNS infection or tumor
🏥

Immediate Action

  • ABC stabilization first
  • Urgent neuroimaging if indicated
  • Seizure management (benzodiazepines)
  • Lumbar puncture only if safe

📉 Failure to Thrive

⚠️

Signs

  • Weight <5th percentile
  • Crossing down growth percentiles
  • Delayed developmental milestones
  • Poor feeding / fatigue during feeds
  • Low muscle mass / thin appearance
❗

May Indicate

  • Inadequate intake (most common)
  • Malabsorption (celiac, CF)
  • Chronic disease (cardiac, renal)
  • Neglect / psychosocial causes
🏥

Immediate Action

  • Full growth chart review
  • Nutritional assessment + feeding plan
  • Screen for organic causes
  • Multidisciplinary follow-up