Molecular mechanisms of drug actions
Pearls • Receptors play a central role in determining the nature of the pharmacologic effects produced by a drug. • Most drugs and endogenous compounds (e.g., hormones, neurotransmitters) exert their…
Airway management
Pearls • Safe management of the critically ill child’s airway requires a comprehensive understanding of the anatomic and physiologic changes that occur from birth through adolescence, advance recognition of congenital…
Traumatic brain injury
Pearls • Complete and rapid physiologic resuscitation is essential to the initial treatment of infants and children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). • There are many age- and injury…
Anesthesia effects on organ systems
Pearls • The anesthetic care of ICU patients is an extension of medical and anesthetic management principles employed in the operating room. • Anesthesiologists caring for critically ill children must…
Pediatric abdominal trauma
Pearls • In pediatric trauma, as with all trauma patients, the first priority remains the ABCs: airway, breathing, circulation. • Intubation in children can be challenging and is best done…
Coagulation and coagulopathy
• Traditionally, coagulation has been presented as a set of discrete “intrinsic,” “extrinsic,” and “common” pathways, but this view fails to include the many interactions between pathways, any of the…
Neuroimaging
Pearls • Multiple imaging modalities are available for evaluation of the brain, head, neck, and spine of the critically ill child. The most appropriate modality depends on consideration of patient…
Principles of drug disposition
Pearls • Studies of drug disposition in critically ill children are limited. • Effective pharmacologic therapeutic interventions should focus on choosing the right drug, right time, right dose, right duration,…
Bites and stings
• Snakebite-related morbidity and mortality are reduced most effectively by rapid transport, intensive care support, and the administration of antivenin. • Pit viper envenomation may produce both painful local tissue…
Child abuse
Pearls • Infants and children with inflicted head or other traumatic injuries often appear in emergency departments with signs and symptoms of trauma or conditions suspicious of being of medical…
