Coma in Pediatric Emergency

Coma is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The aim of management is to minimise any ongoing neurological damage. History, examination, investigation and treatment will be simultaneous. Immediate resuscitation and management The primary assessment should be as for any seriously...

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Pneumothorax in Pediatric Emergency

Definition A pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air in the intrapleural space. Spontaneous pneumothorax is unusual. It is often associated with trauma but can be spontaneous, particularly if a person has a marfanoid habitus. It can occur secondary to a bullous or a cyst. Children with cystic...

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Pneaumonia in Pediatric Emergency

Pneaumonia in Pediatric Emergency Thorax Xray Pneumonia is common, but the cause may vary with age. The commonest bacterial causes are: • Staphylococcus aureus in children <1 year • Streptococcus pneumoniae in children <4 years • Hemophilus influenzae in children...

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Croup or Barky Cough (Laryngotracheobronchitis)

This tends to occur in a previously well child aged 3 months to 6 years but can occur in older children. The term croup refers to a clinical syndrome characterised by barking cough, inspiratory stridor and hoarseness of voice. It results from viral infection, most often with...

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Acute Upper Airways Obstruction

Examination and assessment A harsh barking cough with stridor in a child with minimally raised temperature suggests croup (see below). Cough with low pitched expiratory stridor and drooling suggests epiglottitis. Sudden onset of coughing, choking, drooling and aphonia suggests a laryngeal foreign...

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