When a critically ill child arrives in your emergency department, you have minutes-sometimes seconds-to recognize life-threatening patterns, prioritize interventions, and execute age-appropriate treatments that differ dramatically from adult care. This lesson equips you with systematic assessment frameworks, clinical decision algorithms, and evidence-based intervention protocols tailored to pediatric physiology, so you can confidently navigate high-stakes scenarios from neonatal sepsis to adolescent trauma. You'll master rapid evaluation techniques, pattern recognition skills, and age-specific treatment strategies that transform uncertainty into decisive action when every moment counts.
📌 Remember: PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support protocols differ fundamentally from adult care in dosing (mg/kg), equipment sizing (age-based), and physiologic responses (compensated longer, decompensate faster)
The pediatric emergency landscape encompasses unique pathophysiology where children compensate remarkably well until sudden decompensation occurs. Heart rates range from 100-160 bpm in infants versus 60-100 bpm in adults, while blood pressure thresholds drop to 70 + (2 × age) mmHg for hypotension recognition. Respiratory rates vary dramatically: 30-60 breaths/min in newborns, 20-30 in toddlers, and 12-20 in adolescents.
| Age Group | Heart Rate (bpm) | Respiratory Rate | Systolic BP (mmHg) | Weight Formula | Tube Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 100-160 | 30-60 | 60-90 | 3.5 kg | 3.5 mm |
| Infant (1-12m) | 100-150 | 25-50 | 70-100 | Age(mo) + 9 | 4.0 mm |
| Toddler (1-3y) | 90-120 | 20-30 | 80-110 | Age(y) × 2 + 10 | 4.5 mm |
| Preschool (3-6y) | 80-110 | 20-25 | 85-115 | Age(y) × 2 + 10 | Age/4 + 4.5 |
| School (6-12y) | 70-100 | 15-20 | 90-120 | Age(y) × 2 + 10 | Age/4 + 4.5 |
💡 Master This: Pediatric vital signs vary dramatically by age - memorize the 70 + (2 × age) formula for minimum systolic blood pressure and recognize that tachycardia often represents the first and most sensitive sign of shock
Weight-based dosing calculations form the cornerstone of pediatric emergency interventions. Epinephrine dosing follows 0.01 mg/kg IV (maximum 1 mg) or 0.1 mg/kg ET, while atropine requires 0.02 mg/kg (minimum 0.1 mg, maximum 0.5 mg). Fluid resuscitation begins with 20 mL/kg normal saline boluses, repeatable up to 60 mL/kg total volume.
Connect these foundational principles through systematic assessment approaches to understand how pediatric emergency protocols create life-saving interventions.
Appearance Assessment Framework:
📌 Remember: TICLS - Tone (floppy vs normal), Interactiveness (social vs withdrawn), Consolability (calms vs inconsolable), Look/gaze (tracks vs stares), Speech/cry (strong vs weak) - abnormal findings in ≥2 categories suggest serious illness
Work of Breathing Evaluation:
| Assessment Component | Normal Findings | Concerning Signs | Critical Indicators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Rate | Age-appropriate | 20% above normal | 50% above/below normal |
| Oxygen Saturation | >95% room air | 90-95% | <90% |
| Work of Breathing | Effortless | Mild retractions | Severe retractions, grunting |
| Air Entry | Equal bilateral | Decreased unilateral | Absent/minimal |
| Mental Status | Alert, interactive | Irritable, restless | Lethargic, unresponsive |
⭐ Clinical Pearl: Capillary refill >2 seconds combined with tachycardia identifies shock with 85% sensitivity and 98% specificity in pediatric patients
💡 Master This: The PAT assessment occurs before vital signs and provides immediate risk stratification - abnormal appearance suggests neurologic/metabolic disease, increased work of breathing indicates respiratory pathology, poor circulation reveals shock states
Systematic Primary Survey (ABCDE):
Age-Specific Assessment Modifications:
Connect systematic assessment principles through recognition of specific emergency patterns to understand how clinical findings guide immediate interventions.
Shock Recognition Framework:
Compensated Shock Indicators:
Decompensated Shock Indicators:
📌 Remember: SHOCK - Systolic BP low, Heart rate high, Output decreased (urine), Capillary refill delayed, Kids compensate until they crash - recognize compensated phase before decompensation occurs
| Shock Type | Heart Rate | Blood Pressure | Perfusion | Extremities | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypovolemic | ↑↑ | Normal→↓ | Poor | Cool | History of losses |
| Distributive | ↑ | ↓ | Variable | Warm | Fever, vasodilation |
| Cardiogenic | ↑ | ↓ | Poor | Cool | Murmur, hepatomegaly |
| Obstructive | ↑↑ | ↓↓ | Poor | Cool | JVD, muffled sounds |
| Neurogenic | ↓ | ↓ | Poor | Warm | Spinal injury |
Neurologic Emergency Patterns:
⭐ Clinical Pearl: Fever >38.5°C in infants <3 months requires full sepsis workup including lumbar puncture, blood cultures, and empiric antibiotics within 60 minutes
💡 Master This: Pattern recognition accelerates diagnosis - stridor + drooling + tripod position = epiglottitis, wheeze + retractions + accessory muscle use = asthma exacerbation, altered mental status + fever + petechiae = meningococcemia
Toxicologic Syndromes (Toxidromes):
Connect pattern recognition skills through systematic treatment algorithms to understand how clinical findings translate into evidence-based interventions.
Airway Management Protocols:
📌 Remember: DOPE - Dislodged tube, Obstruction, Pneumothorax, Equipment failure - systematic approach to sudden deterioration during mechanical ventilation
Fluid Resuscitation Algorithms:
| Intervention | Dosage | Route | Timing | Monitoring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epinephrine | 0.01 mg/kg | IV/IO | q3-5min | Continuous ECG |
| Atropine | 0.02 mg/kg | IV/IO | PRN bradycardia | Heart rate response |
| Amiodarone | 5 mg/kg | IV/IO | Over 20-60min | Blood pressure |
| Adenosine | 0.1 mg/kg | IV push | Rapid bolus | Rhythm conversion |
| Fluid Bolus | 20 mL/kg | IV/IO | Over 10-20min | Perfusion markers |
⭐ Clinical Pearl: Intraosseous access achieves 95% success rate within 60 seconds when peripheral IV access fails - insert at proximal tibia or distal femur in children
💡 Master This: Treatment algorithms prioritize airway, breathing, circulation in sequence - never proceed to next step until current intervention stabilizes the patient or maximum therapy achieved
Specific Emergency Protocols:
Advanced Life Support Algorithms:
Connect treatment algorithms through monitoring protocols to understand how interventions require continuous assessment and adjustment.
Laboratory Integration Framework:
📌 Remember: SAMPLE - Signs/symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, Events leading to illness - systematic history gathering in pediatric emergencies
| Age Group | Normal WBC | Normal Glucose | Normal BP | Normal HR | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neonate | 9,000-30,000 | 40-60 mg/dL | 60-90 systolic | 100-160 | Immature immune response |
| Infant | 6,000-17,500 | 60-100 mg/dL | 70-100 systolic | 100-150 | Maternal antibodies waning |
| Toddler | 6,000-15,500 | 70-110 mg/dL | 80-110 systolic | 90-120 | Increased infection exposure |
| School-age | 5,000-13,500 | 70-120 mg/dL | 90-120 systolic | 70-100 | Adult-like responses |
| Adolescent | 4,500-11,000 | 70-120 mg/dL | 100-130 systolic | 60-100 | Risk-taking behaviors |
Point-of-Care Ultrasound Applications:
⭐ Clinical Pearl: Ultrasound-guided peripheral IV increases first-attempt success from 65% to 85% in difficult pediatric access cases
💡 Master This: Diagnostic integration requires clinical correlation - normal labs don't rule out serious disease in early presentations, while abnormal findings must fit clinical picture to guide treatment
Age-Specific Diagnostic Considerations:
Clinical Decision Rules:
Sepsis Recognition Criteria:
Connect diagnostic integration through specialized pediatric considerations to understand how age-specific factors influence emergency management approaches.
Neonatal Emergency Specializations:
📌 Remember: NEONATES - Neutral thermal environment, Early glucose monitoring, Oxygen support PRN, No delays in antibiotics, Assess for congenital anomalies, Transport considerations, Early family involvement, Special dosing calculations
| Neonatal Parameter | Normal Range | Critical Threshold | Intervention | Monitoring Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 36.5-37.5°C | <36°C or >38°C | Warming/cooling | q15min |
| Glucose | 40-120 mg/dL | <40 mg/dL | D10W 2-4 mL/kg | q1-2hr |
| Heart Rate | 100-160 bpm | <100 or >180 | Atropine/fluid | Continuous |
| Blood Pressure | 60-90 systolic | <50 systolic | Volume/pressors | q15min |
| Oxygen Saturation | >95% | <90% | Supplemental O2 | Continuous |
Toddler Emergency Patterns (1-3 years):
⭐ Clinical Pearl: Button batteries in the esophagus cause tissue necrosis within 2 hours - requires emergent endoscopic removal
💡 Master This: Age-specific pathology patterns guide diagnostic thinking - neonates get sepsis and congenital anomalies, infants develop bronchiolitis and intussusception, toddlers experience ingestions and trauma
School-Age Considerations (6-12 years):
Adolescent Specializations (13-18 years):
Family-Centered Care Principles:
Transport Considerations:
Connect specialized pediatric knowledge through rapid reference tools to understand how age-specific expertise translates into immediate clinical decision-making capabilities.
Essential Clinical Arsenal:
📌 Remember: PEDS - Pediatric dosing differs, Equipment sizing matters, Developmental considerations, Systematic approach saves lives - master these four principles for emergency excellence
| Quick Reference | Formula | Example (5-year-old) | Clinical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Age × 2 + 10 | 5 × 2 + 10 = 20 kg | All medication dosing |
| Min Systolic BP | 70 + (2 × age) | 70 + (2 × 5) = 80 mmHg | Shock recognition |
| ET Tube Size | Age/4 + 4.5 | 5/4 + 4.5 = 5.75 mm | Airway management |
| Epinephrine Dose | 0.01 mg/kg | 0.01 × 20 = 0.2 mg | Cardiac arrest |
| Fluid Bolus | 20 mL/kg | 20 × 20 = 400 mL | Shock resuscitation |
Critical Action Sequences:
⭐ Clinical Pearl: Broselow tape provides weight-based medication dosing and equipment sizing with 95% accuracy - essential tool for pediatric emergencies
💡 Master This: Systematic approaches prevent errors - use checklists, double-check calculations, confirm equipment sizes, and involve families in age-appropriate communication
Pattern Recognition Drills:
Family Communication Framework:
Quality Improvement Metrics:
This clinical mastery toolkit transforms pediatric emergency knowledge into immediate, life-saving interventions through systematic approaches, rapid reference tools, and evidence-based protocols that optimize outcomes for critically ill children.
Test your understanding with these related questions
A 24-year-old man is rushed to the emergency room after he was involved in a motor vehicle accident. He says that he is having difficulty breathing and has right-sided chest pain, which he describes as 8/10, sharp in character, and worse with deep inspiration. His vitals are: blood pressure 90/65 mm Hg, respiratory rate 30/min, pulse 120/min, temperature 37.2°C (99.0°F). On physical examination, patient is alert and oriented but in severe distress. There are multiple bruises over the anterior chest wall. There is also significant jugular venous distention and the presence of subcutaneous emphysema at the base of the neck. There is an absence of breath sounds on the right and hyperresonance to percussion. A bedside chest radiograph shows evidence of a collapsed right lung with a depressed right hemidiaphragm and tracheal deviation to the left. Which of the following findings is the strongest indicator of cardiogenic shock in this patient?
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