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Warning-sign checks

Urinary catheter - infants: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help if your baby is difficult to wake, has trouble breathing, develops blue or grey colouring, or has heavy uncontrolled bleeding.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical advice if:

    • Bleeding or pain continues or increases
    • Urine becomes cloudy or unusually foul-smelling
    • The skin around the urethra becomes increasingly red or swollen
    • An indwelling catheter stops draining and your baby seems uncomfortable
    • Urine leaks repeatedly around the catheter
    • The catheter falls out or appears to have moved

    A baby younger than 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs urgent medical assessment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Contact the healthcare team routinely if you have questions about catheter care, results, removal, or follow-up.

The article also says

Do not try to reinsert a catheter yourself unless you have been specifically trained and instructed to do so.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Urinary catheter - infants. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.