Initial assessment and management of pediatric trauma

Annual Congress and Medicare Expo on Trauma & Critical Care

March 07-09, 2016 Madrid, Spain

Mumtaz Hussain

King Khalid Military City Hospital, Saudi Arabia

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Trauma Treat

Abstract :

Pediatric trauma refers to traumatic injury that happens to an infant, child or adolescent. Pediatric trauma is the leading cause of death and disability in children. In US, each year one out of 6 children need emergency department care and 10, 000 children die from injuries. Severely injured children need to be transported to a facility which is staffed with personnel having experience in management of injuries in children. There are anatomical, physiological and emotional differences between adults and children. Early recognition and treatment of life threatening airway obstruction, inadequate breathing, intra-abdominal and intracranial hemorrhage increases the rate of survival. The initial assessment and management of the injured child follows the sequence of primary survey and resuscitation followed by secondary survey and this needs team work. Working together as cohesive team, the members perform the primary survey in just few minutes. Life threatening conditions are dealt with as soon as they are identified. Necessary imaging studies are obtained early. There is a need of constant reassessment, to ensure that any deterioration in child�s condition is picked up immediately. The secondary survey identifies other injuries like intra-abdominal injuries and long bone fractures which can result in significant hemorrhage. The relief of pain is an important part of treatment of an injured child. The speaker will talk about the differences between adults and children, also highlight the importance of rapid and well organised team assessment and management of pediatric trauma following ATLS guidelines.