Pediatric Emergency Care

Pediatric emergency care involves the assessment and management of acute illnesses and injuries in infants, children, and adolescents.
Emergency care providers must consider the unique physical and emotional needs of pediatric patients.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) guidelines for resuscitation and stabilization
Recognition and management of pediatric emergencies, such as:
- Respiratory distress
- Cardiac arrest
- Trauma
- Infectious diseases (e.g., meningitis, sepsis)
- Poisoning and overdose

Child development encompasses physical, cognitive, and emotional growth from birth to adolescence.
Understanding normal development helps identify deviances and inform interventions.

Stages of development:
1. Infancy (0-1 year)
2. Toddlerhood (1-3 years)
3. Early childhood (4-6 years)
4. Middle childhood (7-10 years)
5. Late childhood (11-14 years)
Developmental milestones:
- Gross motor skills (e.g., sitting, walking)
- Fine motor skills (e.g., grasping, drawing)
- Language and communication
- Social and emotional development

Pediatric surgery involves surgical interventions for congenital and acquired conditions in children.
Surgical care requires consideration of the child's age, size, and developmental stage.

Common pediatric surgical conditions:
- Congenital anomalies (e.g., cleft palate, club foot)
- Abdominal conditions (e.g., appendicitis, hernias)
- Orthopedic conditions (e.g., club foot, scoliosis)
- Neurosurgical conditions (e.g., hydrocephalus, spina bifida)
Surgical approaches:
- Open surgery
- Minimally invasive surgery (e.g., laparoscopy, endoscopy)

Adolescent medicine focuses on the unique health needs of adolescents (10-19 years old).
Providers must address physical, emotional, and social changes during this period.

Pubertal development and growth
Health promotion and disease prevention:
- Vaccinations
- Substance abuse counseling
- Mental health support
Common adolescent health issues:
- Acne
- Menstrual disorders
- Mental health concerns (e.g., depression, anxiety)

Neonatology involves the care of newborns, particularly those who are premature, ill, or require specialized care.
Neonatal care requires a comprehensive understanding of perinatal physiology and pathology.

Newborn assessment and stabilization:
- Apgar score
- Initial resuscitation and stabilization
Neonatal conditions:
- Premature birth (<37 weeks)
- Low birth weight (<2500g)
- Respiratory distress syndrome
- Infections (e.g., sepsis, meningitis)

Involves assessment and management of acute illnesses and injuries in infants, children, and adolescents
Requires consideration of unique physical and emotional needs of pediatric patients
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) guidelines for resuscitation and stabilization
Recognition and management of pediatric emergencies, including:
- Respiratory distress
- Cardiac arrest
- Trauma
- Infectious diseases (e.g., meningitis, sepsis)
- Poisoning and overdose

Encompasses physical, cognitive, and emotional growth from birth to adolescence
Understanding normal development helps identify deviances and inform interventions
Stages of development:
- Infancy (0-1 year)
- Toddlerhood (1-3 years)
- Early childhood (4-6 years)
- Middle childhood (7-10 years)
- Late childhood (11-14 years)
Developmental milestones include:
- Gross motor skills (e.g., sitting, walking)
- Fine motor skills (e.g., grasping, drawing)
- Language and communication
- Social and emotional development

Involves surgical interventions for congenital and acquired conditions in children
Requires consideration of the child's age, size, and developmental stage
Common pediatric surgical conditions:
- Congenital anomalies (e.g., cleft palate, club foot)
- Abdominal conditions (e.g., appendicitis, hernias)
- Orthopedic conditions (e.g., club foot, scoliosis)
- Neurosurgical conditions (e.g., hydrocephalus, spina bifida)
Surgical approaches:
- Open surgery
- Minimally invasive surgery (e.g., laparoscopy, endoscopy)

Focuses on unique health needs of adolescents (10-19 years old)
Providers must address physical, emotional, and social changes during this period
Pubertal development and growth
Health promotion and disease prevention:
- Vaccinations
- Substance abuse counseling
- Mental health support
Common adolescent health issues:
- Acne
- Menstrual disorders
- Mental health concerns (e.g., depression, anxiety)

Involves care of newborns, particularly those who are premature, ill, or require specialized care
Requires comprehensive understanding of perinatal physiology and pathology
Newborn assessment and stabilization:
- Apgar score
- Initial resuscitation and stabilization
Neonatal conditions:
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Respiratory distress syndrome
- Neonatal infections