3wo niece in ER - pls keep bub and mum in your thoughts

[Schmickers]

Hope things go well for your sister and your niece.

In a baby this young, fevers are almost always the result of a viral infection, and are self resolving. But because on rare occasions they can be bacterial infections, and much more serious, there is a standard set of tests that we do to make sure we aren't missing something. These include a chest x-ray (to check for pneumonia), a urine test (to check for urinary tract infection) and a lumbar puncture (to test for meningitis).

And yes, taking blood from a three week old can be very challenging.

[AndiE]

Thanks again all.

Michael - thanks heaps for the professional advice. Appreciate hearing what commonly happens with bubs this young. What a nightmare to get to the bottom of why an infant is so ill - better to do the test and be sure though.

Beema - Would love to be there for my sister, but she's interstate. Fortunately our parents are visiting her, so she had them on hand for some help and support (she and her DH have a two-year-old DS too).

Last update is the drs on the paediatric ward think Miss S has a stomach virus. They've decided not to try to take any more blood from her and won't do the lumbar puncture at this stage. Thank goodness. She'll stay in hospital for at least 24 hours.

And on a note - apparently mid afternoon there was concern Miss S's tummy was bloated. No sooner did the "young doctor" (my mum's words) make the comment than Miss S did a poo explosion ... at least they know she's not constipated, and they got the poo sample they wanted!'

Hopefully tomorrow brings news that's Miss S has improved further.
Thanks again xx

[Willow]

They've decided not to try to take any more blood from her and won't do the lumbar puncture at this stage.

That's great news. We had the awful experience of trying to take blood from our 5 week old baby. It was very distressing and not something I'd wish on any parent of a baby so young.

I hope she continues to improve and mum and bub are home soon

[diannescruffy]

That's great news, glad to hear she is improving.

Regards,
Dianne

[Traveller]

I'm so glad that your niece is improving, I have been there with a very sick newborn and it is the most helpless feeling in the world. I hope she is home safe soon.

xx

[Pandora]

Thinking of you, your sister and her/your family.
I hope your neice continues to improve.

[AndiE]

Quick update - spoke to my sis tonight - Miss S has slowly improved over the course of the day and is now more settled and temps more consistent. If she continues to improve, she'll possibly go home tomorrow. Drs still think it's a virus, but all-in-all she's doing well considering the awful fright she gave her mummy and daddy.

Thanks again everyone for keeping my sister and niece in your thoughts.

Andie xx