Pediatric trauma.

Abstract

In the United States, trauma continues to be the leading cause of death in children between the ages of 1 and 15 years of age. Children die from trauma at a rate five times greater than from leukemia which is the next leading cause of death in this age group. The acutely injured child is brought to community hospitals as well as university hospitals. The CRNA that is called to care for the injured child, either in the emergency room or the operating room, must be knowledgeable of the anatomic, physiological, and emotional differences between the adult and pediatric trauma patient and their response to treatment. Only with this knowledge will there be a decrease in the morbidity of the traumatized pediatric patient. The CRNA should be able to rapidly assess and gain control of the pediatric airway and assure adequate respiration. Initial assessment of the pediatric trauma patient also includes the restoration or maintenance of hemodynamic stability.