Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

On this page

Pediatric CPR - Tiny Lives, Big Actions

  • Primary cause: Often respiratory failure/hypoxia (unlike adults).
  • Initial: Scene safety, check responsiveness, shout for help/activate EMS.
  • Compressions: Rate 100-120/min.
    • Infants (<1 yr): Depth ~4 cm (1/3 AP diameter); 2-finger or thumb-encircling.
    • Children (1 yr-puberty): Depth ~5 cm (1/3 AP diameter); 1 or 2 hands.
  • Ventilation: Crucial. Ratios: Single rescuer 30:2; Two rescuers 15:2.

⭐ Most common cause of pediatric cardiac arrest is respiratory failure/hypoxia, making oxygenation and ventilation paramount.

Pediatric CPR - The C-A-B Dance

📌 C-A-B: Compressions, Airway, Breathing. High-quality CPR is key.

  • Compressions (C)
    • Rate: 100-120/min.
    • Depth: Infant ~4cm (1.5in); Child ~5cm (2in).
    • Technique:
      • Infant (1 rescuer): 2 fingers.
      • Infant (2 rescuers): 2 thumb-encircling hands.
      • Child: 1 or 2 hands.
    • Full chest recoil.
    • Ratios: Single rescuer 30:2; Two rescuers 15:2 (child/infant).
  • Airway (A)
    • Open: Head-tilt/chin-lift (jaw thrust if trauma).
  • Breathing (B)
    • 1 breath/1 sec.
    • Rescue breathing (pulse >60/min, no/poor breathing): 1 breath/2-3s (20-30/min).
  • AED: Use ASAP. Pediatric pads <8 yrs.

⭐ For infants, two-rescuer CPR uses the two-thumb-encircling hands technique for chest compressions.

CPR Hand Placement by Age Group

Pediatric CPR - PALS Power-Up

  • Prioritize C-A-B: Compressions, Airway, Breathing.
  • High-quality CPR: Rate 100-120/min; depth ⅓ AP diameter (Infants: ~4cm, Children: ~5cm). Full recoil, minimal interruptions.
  • Advanced Airway: Consider ETT/LMA. Confirm placement & monitor CPR quality with waveform capnography.
  • Vascular Access: IV/IO. Epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO (max 1mg). Amiodarone 5 mg/kg for shock-refractory VF/pVT.
  • Team Dynamics: Clear roles, closed-loop communication.

⭐ IO access is preferred if IV access is not rapidly achievable (<90s) in critically ill children during resuscitation attempts for rapid drug delivery and fluid administration効果

Pediatric CPR - Rhythms & Shocks

  • Rhythm ID: Shockable (VF/pVT) vs. Non-shockable (Asystole/PEA).
  • Shockable Rhythms (VF/pVT):
    • Defibrillate: 2 J/kg (initial) → 4 J/kg → max 10 J/kg / adult dose.
    • Epinephrine: 0.01 mg/kg (0.1mL/kg of 1:10,000) IV/IO, q3-5min.
    • Refractory: Amiodarone 5 mg/kg or Lidocaine 1 mg/kg IV/IO.
  • Non-Shockable Rhythms (Asystole/PEA):
    • High-quality CPR.
    • Epinephrine: 0.01 mg/kg (0.1mL/kg of 1:10,000) IV/IO, q3-5min.
    • NO defibrillation. Treat reversible causes (H's & T's).

Shockable Rhythms: VF and pVT ECGs vs Non-Shockable (Asystole/PEA) Rhythms)

⭐ Amiodarone 5 mg/kg IV/IO bolus (max single dose 300 mg) for shock-refractory VF/pVT; may repeat twice.

Pediatric CPR - Potion Commotion

Drug Therapy:

DrugDose (IV/IO)Notes
Epinephrine0.01 mg/kg (1:10,000) q 3-5 minET: 0.1 mg/kg (1:1,000)
Amiodarone5 mg/kg bolus (pVT/VF)Max 3 doses
Lidocaine1 mg/kg load
  • Hypovolemia, Hypoxia, H⁺ (acidosis), Hypo/Hyperkalemia, Hypoglycemia, Hypothermia.
  • T's: Tension pneumo, Tamponade, Toxins, Thrombosis (PE/MI).

⭐ For suspected opioid overdose, Naloxone 0.1 mg/kg (max 2mg) is indicated.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • C-A-B sequence (Compressions, Airway, Breathing) is critical in pediatric CPR.
  • Compression depth: 1/3 AP diameter (approx. 4 cm infants, 5 cm children).
  • Compression rate: 100-120/min.
  • Compression-to-ventilation ratio: 30:2 (single rescuer), 15:2 (two rescuers).
  • Epinephrine (IV/IO 0.01 mg/kg) every 3-5 mins for all rhythms.
  • Amiodarone for refractory VF/pVT.
  • Prioritize high-quality CPR: push hard, fast; allow full chest recoil; minimize interruptions.

Practice Questions: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Test your understanding with these related questions

Which of the following is an effective sign of successful neonatal resuscitation?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

1/10

_____ technique for chest compression is used for resuscitation in children aged >8 years

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

_____ technique for chest compression is used for resuscitation in children aged >8 years

Heel of both hands on lower 1/3rd of sternum

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

Get full access to all lessons, practice questions, and more.

Start Your Free Trial