Introduction to Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Introduction to Pediatric Emergency Medicine
(A concise, organized overview for students and clinicians)

1. Scope & Definition

• Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM): A subspecialty focused on the rapid assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of acute illness and injury in patients from birth through adolescence (≈ 0‑21 years).
• Key Goals
  • Preserve life and prevent disability.
  • Provide age‑appropriate, family‑centered care.
  • Coordinate seamless transition to inpatient or outpatient services.

2. Epidemiology & Common Presentations

Note: Trauma accounts for ~ 30 % of pediatric ED visits; respiratory illness ~ 25 %.

3. Principles of Pediatric Assessment

1. Primary Survey (ABCs)
   • Airway: Look for obstruction (foreign body, edema); assess voice, stridor.
   • Breathing: Observe work of breathing, pulse oximetry, capnography if needed.
   • Circulation: Pulse quality, capillary refill, blood pressure (age‑specific norms), mental status.
2. Secondary Survey
   • Full history (HPI, past medical, medications, allergies, immunizations, family/social).
   • Focused physical exam (head‑to‑toe) with age‑appropriate techniques.
3. Resuscitation Adjuncts
   • Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) adapted for size/airway anatomy.
   • Intraosseous (IO) access preferred when IV access is difficult.
   • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) algorithms guide cardiac arrest and shock management.

4. Age‑Specific Physiologic Norms (Quick Reference)