Browse Pediatric Emergency Medicine Articles by Topic

Analysis Reveals Malpractice Risks When Providing Pediatric Care in ED

Learn some practices that can help general emergency departments defend against malpractice litigation — or prevent it in the first place.

More Pediatric Patients Visiting ED for Mental Health-Related Reasons

Universal screening for suicidal ideation is an important step toward improving care quality for young patients with mental health disorders. More research is needed to determine how to optimally equip all emergency departments to manage pediatric cases.

Improving the ED Care Experience for Young Patients with Sensory Sensitivities

A growing number of pediatric emergency departments have made environmental changes, and staff members are learning how to better engage and communicate with patients diagnosed with autism or other sensory sensitivities.

Infections and Prophylaxis in Pediatric Trauma Patients

The emergency medicine physician serves a critical role for trauma and surgical patients. Early recognition of infections and understanding the indications for prophylaxis are critical for management of pediatric trauma patients. The authors explore the most common etiologic agents by body system and prophylactic and therapeutic strategies.

Beating the Pandemic: What Emergency Providers Should Know About COVID-19

The disease associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is now a significant event in world history, with uncertain but likely major consequences for individuals, families, healthcare workers, health systems, and the global economy. Although COVID-19 appears to pose only a limited danger to children, older adults face the possibility of much more serious manifestations. At this time it seems COVID-19 will demand the attention of most practitioners and allied health providers over the next year. Thus, familiarization with what is known so far about its pathophysiology, epidemiologic risk factors, treatment, and future directions for research is important as we face and fight this crisis united as healthcare providers.

Diabetes in Pediatric ED Patients

Emergency medicine providers commonly will encounter children with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, the incidence of both is increasing, and the acute care provider must be able to recognize the subtle and dramatic presentations of both diseases. Early recognition and management of both the disease and its complications — diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state, and cerebral edema — are critical to ensure an optimal outcome.

Status Epilepticus

The authors present an approach to the diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management of neonates and children in SE.

Deadly Pediatric Rashes

Rash is a common complaint in the emergency department (ED). Often, the pediatric rash is a benign, self-limiting condition that requires no intervention; however, there are occasions when rashes are true emergencies. Identifying these rare occasions is critical for the pediatric patient. This issue reviews and discusses some of the most common pediatric dermatologic emergencies and the ED approach to identification, diagnosis, and immediate evidence-based management of these conditions.

The Pediatric Airway and Rapid Sequence Intubation

The skill to assess and manage the pediatric airway is essential. Correlating anatomic considerations with the need for escalating airway management is critical to optimize each child's outcome.

Diagnosis and Management of Infants With Critical Congenital Heart Disease in the Emergency Department

Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children. When children with undiagnosed congenital heart disease (CHD) present acutely, the challenge of diagnosis and the importance of timely management can be daunting for any physician in an emergency setting. The children with the highest morbidity and mortality from critical congenital heart disease are infants younger than 1 year of age.