Emergency & Acute Care Medicine

Pediatric Emergencies

Pediatric emergencies refer to critical and potentially life-threatening situations involving infants, children, and adolescents. These emergencies require immediate medical attention to prevent further harm and ensure the best possible outcome for the young patient. Here are some common types of pediatric emergencies and the appropriate actions to take:

Respiratory Distress/Failure:

Signs: Difficulty breathing, rapid or labored breathing, bluish lips or skin, retractions (sucking in of the chest or ribs while breathing), grunting.

Actions: Ensure an open airway, administer oxygen if available, and seek medical help immediately.

Cardiac Arrest:

Signs: Unresponsive, not breathing, no pulse.

Actions: Start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) immediately, call for emergency medical services, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available.

Seizures:

Signs: Uncontrolled shaking altered consciousness, loss of bladder or bowel control.

Actions: Protect the child from injury by removing nearby objects, place the child on their side, and time the seizure. If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, call for emergency medical help.

Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction):

Signs: Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, hives, rapid heartbeat, confusion.

Actions: Administer epinephrine if prescribed, call for emergency help, and assist with any prescribed medications (antihistamines).

Choking:

Signs: Inability to breathe, inability to speak or cough, clutching at the throat.

Actions: For infants, perform back blows and chest thrusts. For older children, perform the Heimlich maneuver. Seek medical assistance if the obstruction is not cleared.

Head Injury:

Signs: Loss of consciousness, vomiting, confusion, unequal pupils, severe headache.

Actions: Keep the child still and call for medical assistance, especially if there's a loss of consciousness or signs of a severe head injury.

Burns:

Signs: Redness, blisters, charred skin, pain.

Actions: Cool the burn with running water for at least 10 minutes, cover with a clean cloth, and seek medical attention for severe burns or burns involving the face, hands, feet, genitals, or major joints.

Severe Bleeding:

Signs: Blood gushing or spurting, inability to control bleeding with pressure.

Actions: Apply direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or bandage, raise the injured area if possible, and seek medical help.