Pediatric Trauma

On this page

Pediatric Trauma - Tiny Terrors, Big Trouble

  • Unique Anatomy & Physiology: Larger head-to-body ratio, thinner chest wall, pliable bones (greenstick fractures), ↑surface area (hypothermia risk).
  • Airway: Large occiput, anterior/cephalad larynx, narrowest at cricoid.
  • Breathing: Diaphragmatic breathers, susceptible to fatigue.
  • Circulation: Compensate well initially, then rapid decompensation. Hypotension is a LATE sign. Tachycardia is an early sign.
    • Estimated blood volume: 80 ml/kg.
  • Disability: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) modified for children.
  • Exposure/Environment: Prevent hypothermia.
  • Common Injuries: Head trauma (most common cause of death), abdominal trauma (liver/spleen), fractures.
  • Non-Accidental Trauma (NAT): Consider if injury pattern inconsistent with history. 📌 TEN-4 FACES P (Torso, Ears, Neck, Frenulum, Auricular, Cheek, Eyelid, Subconjunctival hemorrhage, Patterned bruising).

Pediatric Trauma Patient Assessment

⭐ Waddell's Triad (vehicle vs. pedestrian): 1. Femur fracture, 2. Intra-abdominal/Intrathoracic injury, 3. Contralateral head injury. Indicates severe trauma and high mortality risk in pediatric pedestrian injuries by motor vehicles.

  • Fluid Resuscitation: Isotonic crystalloids 20 ml/kg bolus, repeat up to 2-3 times. Then packed RBCs 10-15 ml/kg if no response.
  • Damage Control Resuscitation: Early blood product use in severe trauma (1:1:1 PRBC:FFP:Platelets).

Initial Assessment - ABCs for Small Fries

  • Primary Survey (ABCDE): Rapidly identify & manage life-threats.
    • 📌 PAT: Appearance, Work of Breathing, Circulation (skin). (Initial visual)
  • A - Airway & C-Spine:
    • Immobilize C-spine.
    • Jaw thrust.
    • ETI (uncuffed): $(Age/4) + 4$; (cuffed): $(Age/4) + 3.5$.
  • B - Breathing:
    • High-flow O2.
    • Assess: RR, effort, SpO2.
    • Needle for tension pneumothorax: 2nd ICS MCL / 5th ICS AAL.
  • C - Circulation:
    • IV/IO access (IO if IV > 90s).
    • Fluid: 20 mL/kg isotonic crystalloid bolus (max 60 mL/kg pre-blood).
    • Control bleeding.

    ⭐ Hypotension: LATE, ominous shock sign in children. Compensatory mechanisms mask it.

Pediatric Assessment Triangle

Key Injury Patterns - Ouchie Hotspots

  • Head Trauma:
    • Leading cause of trauma death.
    • Infants: Assess fontanelles. Ping-pong, growing skull fractures.
    • ↑Risk diffuse axonal injury (DAI) due to large head, weak neck. Pediatric head trauma CT: epidural hematoma & fracture
  • Thoracic Trauma:
    • Rib fractures rare (pliable ribs) but indicate severe force.
    • Pulmonary contusion: Most common chest injury.
  • Abdominal Trauma:
    • Spleen & liver: Most injured solid organs.
    • Handlebar injury → duodenal hematoma, pancreatic injury.
    • Non-operative management (NOM) often preferred.
  • Musculoskeletal Trauma:
    • Physeal (growth plate) injuries: Salter-Harris classification.
    • NAT indicators: 📌 Multiple fractures (varied healing), posterior ribs, corner fractures.
  • Spinal Trauma:
    • Upper C-spine (C1-C3) injuries common. Pseudosubluxation.
    • SCIWORA (Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality) more frequent.

⭐ Waddell's Triad (pedestrian vs. vehicle): 1. Femur fracture, 2. Thoracic/abdominal injuries, 3. Contralateral head injury.

Scoring & Special Scenarios - Numbers & Nuances

  • Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS):
    • Components (each +2, +1, or -1): Weight, Airway, SBP, CNS, Open Wound, Skeletal Fx.
    • Range: -6 to +12.
    • Mortality: ↑ if PTS < 0; Survival good if PTS > 8.
  • Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale (pGCS):
    • Modified for pre-verbal children (Eye opening, Verbal response, Motor response).
    • Score: 3 (min) to 15 (max).
    • Severe TBI: pGCS ≤ 8.
  • Non-Accidental Trauma (NAT):
    • Suspect: Inconsistent history, delayed presentation.
    • Key injuries: Retinal hemorrhages, posterior rib #, metaphyseal #, subdural hematoma.

    ⭐ Posterior rib fractures and metaphyseal corner fractures are highly suggestive of NAT.

  • Waddell's Triad (Pedestrian vs. Vehicle): 📌 HCL
    • Contralateral Head injury, Thoraco-abdominal injury, Femur #. Infant Radiograph: Metaphyseal Corner and Bucket Handle Fx

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Pediatric airway is distinct: smaller, anterior, larger tongue; prioritize patency.
  • C-spine injuries often involve upper vertebrae; consider SCIWORA even with normal X-rays.
  • Blunt abdominal trauma commonly affects liver and spleen; non-operative management is frequent.
  • Head trauma is the primary cause of death; assess with Pediatric GCS.
  • Initial fluid bolus: 20 ml/kg isotonic crystalloid.
  • High risk of hypothermia due to larger surface area to mass ratio.
  • Pulmonary contusions can occur without rib fractures due to chest wall compliance.
Rezzy AI Tutor

Have doubts about this lesson?

Ask Rezzy, our AI tutor, to explain anything you didn't understand

Practice Questions: Pediatric Trauma

Test your understanding with these related questions

In splenic injury, conservative management is done in which of the following?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Pediatric Trauma

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 For Free