Children younger than 5 have a much higher risk of developing pediatric respiratory failure. Article discusses why a higher risk of hypoxia, an immature cardiovascular system, and inefficient mechanics of breathing increases risk of respiratory failure. #FOAMED #anesthesi Read More …
Pediatric hypotension, in the absence of cardiac pathology, should be considered hypovolemia until proven otherwise. Hypovolemia can precipitate respiratory failure, which then worsens hypotension in a vicious cycle. Hypovolemia can result in cardiac arrest. Case: I was called to the emergency room to intubate an unresponsive, cyanotic, 5 year old Read More …
Anesthesia providers who don’t care for children frequently can find their care intimidating. Link to pediatric anesthesia airway management lectures on YouTube by Dr. Christine Whitten and Dr. S. Ramesh. #anesthesia, #FOAMED, #anaesthesia Read More …
Article discusses reducing complication risk for scheduling elective pediatric cases at surgery ccenters to avoid delay during COVID pandemic restrictions. Read More …
My review article has just been published in Anesthesiology News: 10 Common Pediatric airway Problems — And Their Solutions. The trend to only use pediatric providers has a seriously negative unintended consequence: It deprives other providers of routinely caring for children, making them less prepared for when they do inevitably have to care for a small child. This reviews the most important pediatric airway differences. Read More …
In many ways pediatric anatomy and physiology predisposes a child to respiratory distress and respiratory failure. Inefficient mechanics of breathing is one major risk factor for infants and young children. This article discusses the ways the anatomy of a child creates inefficient mechanics of breathing and predisposes to respiratory distress and failure. Read More …
At long last, after two years of writing (and rewriting), illustrating, and filming on-line videos, I’m excited to announce the publication of my new book Pediatric Airway Management: A Step-by-Step Guide. Anyone who rarely cares for children tends to be anxious when faced with a small child’s airway. This is true even if they are comfortable with adult airway management.
My goal for this book is to demystify basic pediatric airway management. I want to give you the skills you need to recognize when a child is in trouble and act quickly to safeguard that child, including helping them breathe if necessary. My sincere wish is that this new book helps in the care of our littlest patients, no matter where they are. Read More …
When I’m teaching airway management to my Perioperative/OR nurses, I often recount the story of management of a young child’s postoperative respiratory depression. In addition to illustrating the importance of evaluating ventilation in addition to oxygenation, this case shows how good communication makes management of a critical event more effective. Read More …
Pediatric medication errors are distressingly common. This article discusses various ways to reduce the risk of administering an incorrect medication dose to a child. Read More …
Although the initial FDA warnings about potentially fatal codeine overdose in children were released in 2012, I’m recently discovered that a few of my surgeon and nursing colleagues were still unaware of the potential risks. This article reviews some of the risks of using codeine in the pediatric population as well as the patient’s at highest risk for potentially fatal respiratory depression. Read More …
This article discussion some of the key points to intubating an infant or small child safely. Providers who infrequently care for infants and children less than two years of age are often rightfully anxious when faced with a sick child, especially if airway management is required. This is especially true if the child is less than one. Healthy respect is certainly indicated because airway complications are one of the leading causes of pediatric cardiac arrest.
Intubating an infant or small child is more of a challenge than an older child or adult both because of their anatomical differences as well as their physiologic predisposition for hypoxia. However, anyone who can intubate an adult can also intubate an infant or toddler safely if they take these differences in anatomy and physiology into account and are gentle and methodical in their approach.
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