Pediatric Thoracic Trauma 2nd leading cause of death in Peds Trauma Most injuries in Peds are Blunt Kids are Different ==> More Pliable Chest Walls → Pulm Contusion more likely than rib Fx ==> More Mobile Mediastinum → more susceptible to develop tension ptx ==> More Likely to Hyperventilate → Swallowed Air → compromise Respiratory status ==> Can compensate for significant volume loss with tachycardia Traumatic Asphyxia ==> Primarily in younger children ==> Due to the more pliable chest wall ==> Sudden, severe crushing blow to the chest when the glottis is closed. ==> Petechial Hemorrhages of sclera and skin of the head and upper extremities ==> Neuro deficits and coma due to cerebral edema can occur, although rare Pulmonary Contusion ==> Most Common thoracic Injury in kids ==> Alveolar Hemorrhage, Consolidation, Edema ==> Leads to: (1) V/Q mismatch (2) Decreased Compliance (3) Hypoxemia (4) hypoventilation
