Every child is special and has unique needs, but some children have specific healthcare needs. For some, these needs may be so severe that the child is referred to as “medically fragile” or “medically complex.” If your child has a series of ongoing, complex healthcare needs, they may be a medically fragile child. Life Tech is here to help you understand when a child is considered medically fragile and help you understand how you can provide them with the right care. 

What is a Medically Fragile Child? 

A medically fragile child is a child who needs specialized care, either via specialized equipment, medication management, or with the assistance support caregiver. The child may be medically fragile as a result of an injury, congenital condition, illness or neglect.  

Conditions That Can Make a Child Medically Fragile 

There are a variety of conditions that can lead to a child being medically fragile. Among these conditions are:  

  • Premature birth 
  • Fetal alcohol syndrome 
  • Down syndrome 
  • Cystic fibrosis 
  • Cerebral palsy 
  • Muscular dystrophy 
  • Epilepsy 

How Is a Child Diagnosed as Medically Fragile? 

Many of the conditions listed above can be diagnosed just after birth, and in some cases prior to birth. However, some of these conditions do not begin to show symptoms until your child is older. If you notice any changes in your child’s health or behavior, schedule an appointment with their doctor right away.  

Caring for a Medically Fragile Child 

If your child is living with a condition, figuring out how to care for them is essential. This starts with working with your child’s doctor to develop a management and treatment plan for your child’s condition. That treatment plan may need to include medication, specialized medical equipment, trained caregivers in addition to other specialized care.  

If your child needs any specialized care, Life Tech is here to help. Our staff is trained to meet the unique healthcare needs of children and we are ready to help your child and your family. Please contact us to speak with our team about our pediatric services.