Pediatric trauma refers to a traumatic injury that happens to an infant, child or adolescent. Because of anatomical and physiological differences between children and adults the care and management of this population differs.
There are significant anatomical and physiological differences between children and adults. For example, the internal organsare closer in proximity to each other in children than in adults; this places children at higher risk of traumatic injury.
Children present a unique challenge in trauma care because they are so different from adults - anatomically, developmentally, physiologically and emotionally.
An important part of managing trauma in children is weight estimation. A number of methods to estimate weight exist, including the Broselow tape, Leffler formula, and Theron formula.Of these three methods, the Broselow tape is the most accurate for weight estimation in children ≤25 kg, while the Theron formula performs better with patients weighing >40 kg.
