Pediatric respiratory emergencies are the leading cause of hospital admissions in children, excluding congenital abnormalities. The pediatric respiratory system has anatomical features that decrease respiratory reserve and increase the risk of respiratory failure. Common respiratory emergencies in children include croup, epiglottitis, asthma, bronchiolitis, and foreign body airway obstruction. Successful management requires recognizing the underlying condition, providing supportive care, administering appropriate medications, and being prepared to assist ventilation.

1. Pediatrics Respiratory Emergencies

2. Respiratory Emergencies #1 cause of Pediatric hospital admissions Death during first year of life except for congenital abnormalities

3. Respiratory Emergencies Most pediatric cardiac arrest begins as respiratory failure or respiratory arrest

4. Pediatric Respiratory System Large head, small mandible, small neck Large, posteriorly-placed tongue High glottic opening Small airways Presence of tonsils, adenoids

5. Pediatric Respiratory System Poor accessory muscle development Less rigid thoracic cage Horizontal ribs, primarily diaphragm breathers Increased metabolic rate, increased O 2 consumption

6. Pediatric Respiratory System Decrease respiratory reserve + Increased O 2 demand = Increased respiratory failure risk

7. Respiratory Distress

8. Respiratory Distress Tachycardia (May be bradycardia in neonate) Head bobbing, stridor, prolonged expiration Abdominal breathing Grunting--creates CPAP

9. Respiratory Emergencies Croup Epiglottitis Asthma Bronchiolitis Foreign body aspiration

10. Laryngotracheobronchitis Croup

11. Croup: Pathophysiology Viral infection (parainfluenza) Affects larynx, trachea Subglottic edema; Air flow obstruction

12. Croup: Incidence 6 months to 4 years Males > Females Fall, early winter

13. Croup: Signs/Symptoms “Cold” progressing to hoarseness, cough Low grade fever Night-time increase in edema with: Stridor “Seal bark” cough Respiratory distress Cyanosis Recurs on several nights

14. Croup: Management Mild Croup Reassurance Moist, cool air

15. Croup: Management Severe Croup Humidified high concentration oxygen Monitor EKG IV tko if tolerated Nebulized racemic epinephrine Anticipate need to intubate, assist ventilations

16. Epiglottitis

17. Epiglottitis: Pathophysiology Bacterial infection (Hemophilus influenza) Affects epiglottis, adjacent pharyngeal tissue Supraglottic edema Complete Airway Obstruction

18. Epiglottitis: Incidence Children > 4 years old Common in ages 4 - 7 Pedi incidence falling due to HiB vaccination Can occur in adults, particularly elderly Incidence in adults is increasing

19. Epiglottitis: Signs/Symptoms Rapid onset, severe distress in hours High fever Intense sore throat, difficulty swallowing Drooling Stridor Sits up, leans forward, extends neck slightly One-third present unconscious, in shock

20. Epiglottitis Respiratory distress+ Sore throat+Drooling = Epiglottitis

21. Epiglottitis: Management High concentration oxygen IV tko, if possible Rapid transport Do not attempt to visualize airway

22. Epiglottitis Immediate Life Threat Possible Complete Airway Obstruction

23. Asthma

24. Asthma: Pathophysiology Lower airway hypersensitivity to: Allergies Infection Irritants Emotional stress Cold Exercise

25. Asthma: Pathophysiology Bronchospasm Bronchial Edema Increased Mucus Production

26. Asthma: Pathophysiology

27. Asthma: Pathophysiology Cast of airway produced by asthmatic mucus plugs

28. Asthma: Signs/Symptoms Dyspnea Signs of respiratory distress Nasal flaring Tracheal tugging Accessory muscle use Suprasternal, intercostal, epigastric retractions

29. Asthma: Signs/Symptoms Coughing Expiratory wheezing Tachypnea Cyanosis

30. Asthma: Prolonged Attacks Increase in respiratory water loss Decreased fluid intake Dehydration

31. Asthma: History How long has patient been wheezing? How much fluid has patient had? Recent respiratory tract infection? Medications? When? How much? Allergies? Previous hospitalizations?

32. Asthma: Physical Exam Patient position? Drowsy or stuporous? Signs/symptoms of dehydration? Chest movement? Quality of breath sounds?

33. Asthma: Risk Assessment Prior ICU admissions Prior intubation >3 emergency department visits in past year >2 hospital admissions in past year >1 bronchodilator canister used in past month Use of bronchodilators > every 4 hours Chronic use of steroids Progressive symptoms in spite of aggressive Rx

34. Asthma SILENT CHEST= DANGER OF RESPIRATORY FAILURE

35. Golden Rule Pulmonary edema Allergic reactions Pneumonia Foreign body aspiration ALL THAT WHEEZES IS NOT ASTHMA

36. Asthma: Management Airway Breathing Sitting position Humidified O2 by NRB mask Dry O2 dries mucus, worsens plugs Encourage coughing Consider intubation, assisted ventilation

37. Asthma: Management Circulation IV TKO Assess for dehydration Titrate fluid administration to severity of dehydration Monitor ECG

38. Asthma: Management Obtain medication history Overdose Arrhythmias

39. Asthma: Management Nebulized Beta-2 agents Albuterol

40. Asthma: Management Subcutaneous beta agents Epinephrine 1:1000--0.1 to 0.3 mg SQ POSSIBLE BENEFIT IN PATIENTS WITH VENTILATORY FAILURE

41. Asthma: Management Use EXTREME caution in giving two sympathomimetics to same patient Monitor ECG

42. Asthma: Management Avoid Sedatives Depress respiratory drive Antihistamines Decrease LOC, dry secretions Aspirin High incidence of allergy

43. Status Asthmaticus Asthma attack unresponsive to  -2 adrenergic agents

44. Status Asthmaticus Humidified oxygen Rehydration Continuous nebulized beta-2 agents Atrovent Corticosteroids Aminophylline (controversial) Magnesium sulfate (controversial)

45. Status Asthmaticus Intubation Mechanical ventilation Large tidal volumes (18-24 ml/kg) Long expiratory times Intravenous Terbutaline Continuous infusion 3 to 6 mcg/kg/min

46. Bronchiolitis

47. Bronchiolitis: Pathophysiology Viral infection (RSV) Inflammatory bronchiolar edema Air trapping

48. Bronchiolitis: Incidence Children < 2 years old 80% of patients < 1 year old Epidemics January through May

49. Bronchiolitis: Signs/Symptoms Infant < 1 year old Recent upper respiratory infection exposure Gradual onset of respiratory distress Expiratory wheezing Extreme tachypnea (60 - 100+/min) Cyanosis

50. Asthma vs Bronchiolitis Asthma Age - > 2 years Fever - usually normal Family Hx - positive Hx of allergies - positive Response to Epi - positive Bronchiolitis Age - < 2 years Fever - positive Family Hx - negative Hx of allergies - negative Response to Epi - negative

51. Bronchiolitis: Management Humidified oxygen by NRB mask Monitor EKG IV tko Anticipate order for bronchodilators Anticipate need to intubate, assist ventilations

52. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction FBAO

53. FBAO: High Risk Groups > 90% of deaths: children < 5 years old 65% of deaths: infants

54. FBAO: Signs/Symptoms Suspect in any previously well, afebrile child with sudden onset of: Respiratory distress Choking Coughing Stridor Wheezing

55. FBAO: Management Minimize intervention if child conscious, maintaining own airway 100% oxygen as tolerated No blind sweeps of oral cavity Wheezing Object in small airway Avoid trying to dislodge in field

56. FBAO: Management Inadequate ventilation Infant: 5 back blows/5 chest thrusts Child: Abdominal thrusts