Caring for patients is extremely rewarding… but it can also be rather Stressful. There are many complex math problems to solve and risk-benefit ratios to balance. Even the seemingly elementary problems can mentally taxing, especially in children who are prone…
School is out and Summer is in full swing (at least up here in the Northern Hemisphere) and that means … more pediatric trauma (sadly)! Pediatric Trauma can be very challenging to manage for numerous reasons (many that we have…
Caring for the child in shock is challenging! Vascular access has to be attained. Fluids have to be given quickly and Vasopressors may need to be started early! Certainly, the airway must be evaluated and, occasionally, secured. All of this…
When managing critically ill adults or even adults with “odd complaints,” we often think of the thyroid gland and its potential disorders. The same ease of contemplation when dealing with a child is not as effortless, but there are occasions…
Evaluating and managing the child in SHOCK is certainly challenging. Identifying it (ex, Cap Refill, Shock Index, Lactate level) is challenging. Treating it is also challenging (see, Epi over Dopa). The challenge of determining the cause, though, should not be…
Sometimes it seems like the intestines are connected to every organ system as children present with abdominal complaints related to so many conditions. These can be intra-abdominal issues (ex, CRAP, Appendicitis, Intussusception, Hirschsprung’s) as well as extra-abdominal issues (ex, Strep Pharyngitis, Pneumonia, Testicular Torsion, HSP). Unquestionably, the…
The critically ill infant and child can be “tricky” to spot sometimes. Often the phrase “That kid just doesn’t look right,” is heard around the room of critically ill children. So we recognize that “something isn’t right,” but have a hard time putting…
Pediatric shock warrants great concern. Whether it is caused by Sepsis, Hypovolemia, Obstructive process (ex, Tamponade, PE, Pneumothorax), Cardiogenic conditions, or “K“ortisol deficiency (Yes, I know it should be “Cortisol”… but then it wouldn’t spell SHOCK.) there are many management…
Thyroid disease is a common consideration for the ill adult patient, but not as commonly considered in children. That being stated, we have mentioned several conditions which may be related to thyroid disease in children (ex, Bulging Fontanelle, Fever of…
Fortunately, the critically ill child is not as common in the Emergency Department as the critically ill adult. Unfortunately, when the critically ill child does arrive, it can be challenging to recognize him/her initially. This can lead to delays in…
