Welcome to an update for the Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2021 in relation to paediatrics. During the podcast, resuscitation colleagues will highlight the main changes.
Basic life support
The paediatric basic life support algorithm identifies no major changes. The focus remains on the assessment of the unconscious child and calling for help by dialling 999 or 2222, depending on your location.
Remember to deliver five rescue breaths followed by 15 chest compressions. Then, working on a ratio of 15 chest compressions followed by two ventilations. Begin chest compressions if there is no sign of life, or the patient has a bradycardia less that 60bpm and poor perfusion.
High quality CPR is emphasised: chest compression depth at least one third the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest, or by 4cm for the infant and 5cm for the child.
Attach a monitor or defibrillator when available and then follow the paediatric advanced life support algorithm on arrival of the in hospital clinical emergency team.
Advanced life support
The paediatric advanced life support algorithm shows no major changes with the exception of:
Once a tracheal tube is in place, continuous chest compressions should be given. In this case, ventilations should approximate to the lower limit of normal rate for age:
- Infants: 25 breaths per minute;
- Children 1-8 years old: 20 breaths per minute;
- Children 8-12 years old: 15 breaths per minute;
- Children >12 years old: 10-12 breaths per minute.
Please note in weight estimation in children who are obese ideal body weight should be used to avoid drug toxicity.
For new-born and neonates guidelines, please refer to Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2021. Visit: https://www.resus.org.uk/library/2021-resuscitation-guidelines
