Best Medical IDs for Children

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 5.6 million children in the U.S.  have food allergies, and nearly 18% of children 2-8 years old have been diagnosed with a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. Neurological conditions affect 1 in 5 children in the U.S. today, and the list goes on. Fortunately, advances in medicine and solid care plans have made it easier to manage many of these conditions.

A medical ID, such as a children’s medical alert bracelet, should be a part of every care plan. MedicAlert can help. We provide a wide variety of children’s medical alert bracelets, with suitable options for toddlers, teens, and everything in between.

What are the best medical IDs for children?

MedicAlert medical IDs come in all shapes and sizes to suit varying activity levels, ages, and even occasions. The best medical IDs for children will depend on what they are comfortable wearing day-to-day and the types of information that needs to be communicated to teachers and staff, first responders, and emergency teams. A MedicAlert medical ID can be made of materials such as athletic silicon, rustproof stainless steel, durable nylon, leather, gold, or silver. Whichever material fits your child’s needs and style, MedicAlert has you covered.

The following are examples of some of the different types of medical IDs that are suitable for children, tweens, and teens:

Why does my child need a MedicAlert ID?

Children’s medical bracelets can help protect and save your child’s life in a medical emergency. It is estimated that more than 95% of first responders look for a medical ID during emergencies. This is the case whether your child is fully alert or unable to communicate with first responders.

A personalized children’s bracelet lists any conditions or medications that are important to your child’s care, ICE contact information, and any other information that needs to be communicated to first responders. Whether your child has seizures, uses insulin, or carries an EpiPen, having this medical information on hand can help ER teams provide the fastest, safest, and most accurate care.

A children’s medical ID eases worry by providing peace of mind to parents of children who are living with medical conditions. IDs for children, such as children’s safety bracelets, can also alert teachers, school nurses and staff, and even peers, that your child is living with a condition that requires special attention and care. Children’s safety bracelets can ensure that when your child is not in your care, information about their condition, medications, and emergency contact information is easily accessible in case of an accident or other medical emergency.

The physical and mental health conditions listed below are just a few that often affect children. In these cases and others, it’s important to wear a medical ID.

• Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, congenital heart disease (CHD), and Von Willebrand disease (VWD)—an inherited bleeding disorder, require particular medications, and even injections such as insulin, that can have severe interactions with other drugs and substances. A medical ID lets first responders know that certain drugs should be avoided, ensuring accurate and safe treatment in an accident or other medical emergency.
  
  If your child is living with a bleeding disorder, even the smallest cut or bruise can cause severe bleeding. Having this information available to first responders and ER teams can help avoid serious injuries during your child’s handling, treatment, and care.

• Allergies to foods, medications and other substances can cause a mild, moderate, or severe reaction. In some cases, a reaction can be fatal. For example, anaphylaxis can occur when a person who is allergic to latex comes in contact with it. Anaphylaxis can cause breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, and even death. A children’s allergy bracelet will list all allergies, if your child uses an auto-injectable device, such as an EpiPen for severe reactions, and any other information important to your child’s care.

• Neurological or neurobehavioral conditions such as autism, epilepsy (seizure disorder), cerebral palsy, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may require specific medications, treatments, mental health support, and/or assistive devices. Conditions such as autism may require both medications and wandering support. Wandering by children with autism is common and dangerous.
  
  Should your child wander from a safe environment, an ID for children, such as a children’s autism ID bracelet, can provide 24/7 wandering support to help keep your child safe. 

For children with autism and other conditions, a MedicAlert medical ID, such as an engraved children’s bracelet, can provide access to detailed information regarding your child’s condition and care, which can help first responders and ER doctors treat your child quickly, safely, and accurately.  

Why does my child need a MedicAlert protection plan?

When you add a MedicAlert protection plan to a children’s medical alert bracelet, you’ll have an additional layer of protection in emergencies and other medical-related situations.

A MedicAlert protection plan can help ensure the safest, fastest, and most accurate treatment by delivering detailed information about your child’s condition, medications, and supportive treatments to first responders, ER doctors, and hospital staff. This will ensure that your child’s healthcare team knows that they are living with a condition that requires special care, so the right decisions can be made during treatment.

A MedicAlert protection plan can deliver your child’s full health profile directly to ER doctors and other healthcare personnel. It can also help relay any additional critical information about your child’s condition, their designated physician, and emergency contact information.

A MedicAlert ID and protection plan can be there if you or your child cannot communicate critical medical information to first responders, ER doctors, and hospital staff in an accident or other medical emergency. Our Advantage Plus protection plan for children has your child covered in emergency situations and even during regular doctor visits. Advantage Plus provides:

How do you order a MedicAlert ID?

A MedicAlert medical ID can be a bracelet, necklace, shoe tag, Apple Watch ID, ICE TAG sticker, seatbelt holder, or smart medical ID card. The front of a MedicAlert ID features our emblem, which is recognized by first responders around the world. A variety of MedicAlert medical IDs are available to match your child’s age, activity level, personal style, and comfort level. Our bracelets, necklaces, and other medical IDs can protect your child 24/7 by relaying their vital medical information to healthcare professionals, ensuring fast and accurate treatment during an emergency. Visit MedicAlert IDs to select a medical ID that’s right for your child.

What should you engrave on a MedicAlert ID?

MedicAlert offers free custom engraving on all our medical ID products. The engraving on all children’s medical bracelets should include any critical medical information that can protect and save their life if they are in an accident or have another medical emergency, including:

• Conditions and Medications.
• Emergency contact and designated physician information.
• Any additional medical information that needs to be communicated to first responders.

Medical IDs are for everyone and they don’t just benefit the person wearing them. Medical IDs also provide peace of mind for the family of the loved one.

Sources:Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Children’s Mental Health; Child Neurology Foundation; Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE); National Autism Association; National Hemophilia Foundation.