Intro to Pediatric Trauma-Intro to Peds Trauma (PACT/PALS)

Intro to Peds Trauma (PACT/PALS)

Pdf Summary

This document is an overview of pediatric trauma care, emphasizing that trauma is the leading cause of death and disability in children and that outcomes improve when care is delivered within an organized trauma system. It describes Level I Pediatric Trauma Centers as facilities with 24/7 capability to care for all injuries, supported by a multidisciplinary team including trauma surgery, emergency medicine, ICU, orthopedics, neurosurgery, anesthesia, radiology, respiratory therapy, nursing, social work, and more.<br /><br />Key concepts include recognizing life-threatening complications in injured children, especially respiratory failure and hemorrhagic shock. The presentation stresses that pediatric trauma differs from adult trauma because of children’s body size, immature skeleton, larger body surface area, and greater long-term psychological and physical impact. It also highlights Waddell and Drucker’s triad: fractured femur, intra-abdominal/intrathoracic injury, and head injury.<br /><br />Resuscitation follows the CABC approach, with special emphasis on controlling catastrophic bleeding first. Bleeding control measures include direct pressure, tourniquets, and rapid action. Airway management should use the least invasive effective method, with cervical stabilization as needed, and airway control is indicated for obstruction, facial trauma, inhalation injury, severe altered mental status, or signs of increased intracranial pressure. Breathing emergencies include tension pneumothorax, open pneumothorax, and flail chest, each requiring immediate intervention.<br /><br />Circulatory assessment focuses on signs of shock, which is defined as inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues. Treatment of hemorrhagic shock includes fluid resuscitation with isotonic crystalloid, escalation to blood products, consideration of tranexamic acid within 2–3 hours, and attention to calcium replacement during transfusion. The presentation also covers neurologic assessment using AVPU and Glasgow Coma Scale, serial reassessment, full exposure to find hidden injuries, and aggressive prevention of hypothermia.<br /><br />Overall, the message is that pediatric trauma care is a team-based, rapidly evolving process requiring early recognition, bleeding control, resuscitation, and timely transfer to a trauma center.

Keywords

pediatric trauma care

trauma system

Level I Pediatric Trauma Center

hemorrhagic shock

respiratory failure

CABC resuscitation

bleeding control

airway management

Waddell and Drucker triad

hypothermia prevention