The Kids Are Alright: Pediatric Trauma Pearls

Abstract

Pediatric patients with trauma pose unique challenges, both practical and cognitive, to front-line care providers. The combination of anatomic, physiologic, and metabolic factors leads to unique injury patterns with different approaches and responses to treatment compared with adults. A similar traumatic mechanism can lead to slightly different internal injuries with unique management and treatment strategies between the two groups. This article is intended for community, nonpediatric trauma centers, and emergency physicians who are frequently required to assess, resuscitate, and stabilize injured children before they can be safely transferred to a pediatric trauma center for ongoing definitive care and rehabilitation.

Keywords: Pediatric C-spine; Pediatric airway; Pediatric head trauma; Pediatric primary survey; Pediatric trauma; Pediatric trauma diagnostic imaging; Pediatric trauma simulation; Transport of the pediatric patients with trauma.