Children's Emergency Care
For immediate medical attention, call 911.
24/7 Pediatric Expertise
The UNC Children’s Emergency Department provides the highest level of emergency care for ill and injured children, treating over 14,000 patients each year. Staffed by experienced physicians and nurses highly trained in pediatric emergency care, the Children’s Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We offer child-friendly features and amenities to ease the anxiety typically associated with an emergency room visit, and our pediatric experts treat infants, children, and teens with the knowledge, experience, judgment and skill that can make all the difference.
UNC Children's is also recognized as the Triangle’s only Level I pediatric trauma center. This designation is the highest available and means that our team provides expert, comprehensive care for children who experience severe and life-threatening injuries.
Services and amenities
- Around-the-clock emergency care for children ages 18 and younger
- More than 15 pediatric medical and surgical specialists are readily available to either consult on or support care, including trauma surgeons, cardiologists and neurologists
- A state-of-the-art facility which includes child-sized equipment and low-dose radiation equipment operated by child-friendly faculty
- Virtual reality goggles, pediatric operating rooms and other advanced diagnostic techniques available from the resources of the Children's Hospital
- A child-friendly environment that is separate from the main Emergency Department and a separate waiting room for children and their families
- Staff trained to make a child's experience as safe and enjoyable as possible
- Children’s transport services
Your ED Visit: What to Expect
Getting Here
The UNC Children's Emergency Department is located at 101 Manning Drive, in the basement of the N.C. Neurosciences Hospital. Follow signs for and enter through the main UNC Emergency Department entrance; you will be directed to the Children’s Emergency Department from there. Free valet parking is available for cars arriving with an emergency room patient or an ambulance. Click here for more information.
Registration
Once you arrive, a nurse will assess your child. You will be registered by a clerk who will ask for the information needed for your child’s chart, and you’ll sign consent for treatment.
Waiting Area
After you register, you will be asked to sit in our dedicated pediatric waiting area. A nurse will bring you to the ED as soon as a room is available. Children with life-threatening illnesses or injuries receive care first. Other children get attention in the order in which they arrive. We see all patients as quickly as possible.
Tips for bringing your child to the Emergency Department
- You may be away from home for several hours. Bring items such as diapers, wipes, toys and electronic devices to keep you and your child comfortable and entertained. Do not forget chargers for your electronic devices.
- It is important that your child have an empty stomach for some tests and procedures. Do not give your child anything to eat or drink without first checking with the doctors or nurses. It if the staff says it is ok for your child to eat, it is a good idea to have bottles or snacks handy. Don’t forget change for the vending machine.
- Bring a list of your child’s medications and allergies.
- Bring your insurance information.
