In pediatric age, respiratory arrest often precedes cardiacarrest. The causes may be different: respiratory, cardiological, neurological, from shock, from drugs, from metabolic imbalances, or from environmental causes.
The signs are: absence of arterial pulses, absence of respiratory activity, unconsciousness, extreme pallor and cyanosis. It is necessary to place on a rigid surface in dorsal decubitus with moderate cable hyperextension. Clear the airway of secretions or food, lift the chin and give two insufflations with mouth-to-mouth breathing, begin external cardiac massage.
If there is no rapid recovery of cardiac activity give the child a syringe of adrenaline. If the result after 10 minutes is negative, proceed with baking soda. Clinical monitoring will consist of pupillary reactivity, peripheral pulse assessment, skin color, skin temperature, diuresis, blood glucose, azotemia, electrolycemia and blood count.
Source: Mediserve‘s Medical Emergencies in Pediatrics.
