Weirton Medical Center officials said Tuesday they are evaluating the future of the hospital's pediatric unit.

The hospital released a statement saying, "Neither the acuity of illness nor the volume of the pediatric patient population we serve appear to warrant the delivery of care in a separate unit at the Weirton Medical Center."

The statement said hospital officials are "currently evaluating all possibilities to deliver care to our pediatric patients in the most appropriate way."

Weirton Medical representatives said, no matter what the outcome, patient care will remain a top priority. If the unit closes, pediatric patients would not be turned away but may instead be sent to another part of the hospital.

It was not clear when hospital administrators would make a decision. Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage.

-Renee Cardelli, NEWS9