Pediatric Trauma - Management of the Pediatric Trauma Patient
- Spinal injuries are uncommon in young children (only 5% of spinal injuries are patients under 16)
- Ensure proper stabilization of the child while undergoing evaluation
- Maintain manual stabilization until a collar can be placed
- Assess the airway in all suspected spinal injuries
- Use a pad under the shoulders in infants to compensate for large occiput
- Use a proper fitting cervical collar
- Maintains the child’s head in a neutral position
- A collar that does not fit may worsen the injury
- If not available, or risks further injury, a collar should be fabricated from soft material (e.g. - a towel roll)