In comparison to adults, critical illness is relatively uncommon in the
pediatric population. Many facilities may be unprepared or ill-equipped for treating
these rare conditions. The conventional anesthesiologist may not be familiar with the
common pathologies of critical illness in children. These patients may need complex
and life-saving urgent procedures to stabilize them. It is logistically challenging to have
pediatric trained personnel readily available at all hospitals and care centers. These
patients have special perioperative needs that the anesthesiologist should consider.
They may potentially present to the operating room, emergency department, or
pediatric intensive care unit. Here, we offer a direct and practical approach to managing
the care of these younger patients.
Keywords: Acute sickle cell crisis, Acute respiratory distress syndrome, Cardiac shunts, Cerebral edema, Congenital cardiac diseases, Critical illness myopathy, Diabetic ketoacidosis, Enteral feeding and nutrition, Increased intracranial pressure, Propofol related infusion syndrome, Patent ductus arteriosus, Respiratory distress in tracheostomy patients, Sepsis, Septic shock, Seizure disorders, Status epilepticus, Sickle cell disease, Status asthmaticus.
