Pediatric emergency room
Best for urgent, potentially serious problems: breathing difficulty, head injuries, dehydration that will not improve, high fever in a very young infant, broken bones with deformity, or sudden severe illness.
Find a Children's Hospital Near You
A simple, informational guide to help families locate pediatric hospital care and use trusted public directories. This site does not list hospitals itself and is not medical advice.
How to find children's hospital care
Children's hospitals specialize in care for infants, children, and teens. Many communities also have pediatric units inside general hospitals. Use the steps below as a starting point—not a substitute for professional judgment.
- Use an authoritative directory. Search the Children's Hospital Association Hospital Directory or Medicare Care Compare by location or hospital name.
- Confirm pediatric services. Look for a pediatric emergency department, pediatric intensive care, or a dedicated children's hospital campus on the facility's own website.
- Check with your pediatrician or insurer. Your child's doctor and health plan can often recommend in-network pediatric hospitals and specialists.
- Save key contacts ahead of time. Keep the nearest pediatric ER address, your pediatrician's after-hours number, and poison control (1-800-222-1222 in the U.S.) where caregivers can find them quickly.
Pediatric ER, urgent care, or pediatrician?
Choosing the right level of care can save time and reduce stress. These are general distinctions—when in doubt, call your pediatrician or 911.
Urgent care
Often appropriate for milder issues when the pediatrician's office is closed—such as ear pain, minor cuts, mild asthma flare-ups that are otherwise stable, or fever in an older child who is drinking and responsive. Not every urgent care treats young infants.
Pediatrician / primary care
Ideal for routine illness, follow-up, vaccines, and questions that are not emergencies. Many offices offer same-day sick visits and nurse advice lines.
What to bring
- Photo ID and insurance card (or Medicaid/CHIP information)
- List of current medications, allergies, and medical conditions
- Pediatrician's name and phone number
- Comfort items for the child (blanket, toy, snacks if allowed)
- A charger and a second caregiver if possible
Questions you can ask
- Does this facility have a pediatric emergency department or pediatric specialists on site?
- Will my child's pediatrician be notified or able to follow the care plan?
- What is the plan if my child needs to be transferred to another hospital?
- Are interpreters or child-life support available?
- What warning signs should I watch for after we go home?
Authoritative directories and resources
We do not invent hospital listings. Use these official sources to search for real facilities:
- Children's Hospital Association — Hospital Directory Search member children's hospitals across the United States.
- Children's Hospital Association (home) National association for children's hospitals and pediatric health systems.
- Medicare Care Compare U.S. government tool to find and compare hospitals and other care providers.
- American Hospital Association — Locating a Health Care Provider AHA page with links to hospital and provider directories.
Disclaimer
This website is an informational resource only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not recommend specific hospitals, physicians, or treatments. Always seek the advice of a qualified health professional with any questions about a medical condition. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
External links lead to third-party sites that we do not control. Verify details (hours, services, insurance) directly with the facility before traveling.