From inquisitive toddlers to adventurous teenagers: how to navigate paediatric minor injuries

Abstract

Paediatric minor injuries are a frequent presentation to the Emergency Department (ED) and acute care settings. As children develop from curious pre-schoolers to teenagers who are learning to take risks, the pattern of injury changes from lower impact injuries and foreign body insertion or ingestions, to injuries sustained at higher impact. Paediatricians typically receive little training in minor injuries. However, some injuries are seen more commonly in children, therefore knowledge or experience in managing them may also be lacking for clinicians who are primarily trained in adult emergency care. Effective management not only requires a comprehensive understanding of paediatric anatomy and physiology, but a nuanced approach to management, tailored to the developmental needs of the child. This can often be a challenge and techniques used in an older child or adult may not be appropriate. This article provides a practical guide to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of common minor injuries in Paediatrics. Including some helpful tips and tricks on how to manage those tricky customers.