Anatomic differences are airways are smaller and more flexible. Tongue is larger proportionately than an adult and can block the airway easier.

Infants can only breath through their noses for at least the first 6 months.

Children may have more anxiety and unable to communicate the problem with you. You have to get on their level and gain their trust.

Lastly depending on the provider, this situation can bring on certain feelings, fear, or additional stress. So you have to come in to it prepared and calm.

Starting off with pediatric patients are more likely to get scared from the lights and sirens or might get scared from many EMS personnel on scene trying to get information and helping out with the emergency. Kids don't always know what's going on during an EMS call and if they are the patient getting eye level with then versus towering over them when they are sitting will help then gain your trust and feel more comfortable.

The anatomy of a child vs adult is that children have smaller everything and some parts might be weaker than others. like a tongue on a child is smaller and more narrow than an adult. An infant can only breathe through the nose so when the nose gets clogged with mucus the infant won't be able to breathe. it is important to clear the nose ASAP. A child can lose heat faster than an adult can so it's important to keep them warm.

Pediatric patients (tiny humans) care is waaaaay different than adult care from the Protocol- gaining that constant from a patent unless life or death, Anatomy- air way size is smaller, vitals significantly different or bones being flexible (in infants) to the, Brain development-ability to comprehend and understand the situation they are in, lights and a crowd of EMS, Emotional capacity- they may have a stronger reaction to the trauma. The way we care for them is all going to depend on the situation at hand.

Remembering to tell the truth always (kids will hate you if you lie) && keep Mom or dad close whenever possible, stay cool calm and collected they sense fear like sharks, those things will always do you justice and maybe even a stuffed animal or toy too will help to.

Infants are delicate and can't maintain body temps properly on their own. Their airways are more flexible and therefore can be closed down much easier if we do not take special care with it. Babies are more cartilage than bone and also do not have as much control over their motor functions.

Young children also are often always on the go, or trying to move, even when sick. Often times a kid will go and go until they can not anymore. Next thing you know, they are laid out flat in the living room sleeping or sick and throwing up. They don't usually show signs of being sick, until they are really sick. We have to remember this in situations that shock would be something we expect to see, but don't necessarily see it on a child. Kids may not show signs of shock until it is at the danger point. Kids with fevers will often times still be playing and acting mostly normal, unless the fever is so severe it has them down.

We have to also remember that because of size, our equipment has to be suited for the smaller bodies. We don't have to make a perfect seal with a mask for oxygen, and often times if we tried to do that a child would fight because of fear of something being placed on their face so tight. "Blow by oxygen" with the mask 2 inches or so away will work for a child to get oxygen most often. Our airway adjuncts have to be sized proper, the way we insert them is even different because of tongue size.

Honesty should be something we practice throughout no matter the patient, but with children it is of the utmost importance. Kids will take with them the experience we give them, and it will stretch even more so across whenever they see other EMS personal and how they respond later in life to them.

first is anatomy. with young kids allot of the organs and such are not in their proper places yet, so evaluating them can be difficult in this respect. one example is that for allergic reactions it is more dangerous as it takes allot less swelling of the throat to cut off the airway. another example is that due to their small size, they have significantly less blood so bleeding can be allot more serious than on an adult.

they are also will react stronger to injuries due to lack of understanding especially if a stranger is telling them a bunch of weird words they don't understand. it is important to remain calm and be honest. if possible keep mom and dad close a hand, and if needed try to also distract them to keep them calm.

Children tend to be more frightened and anxious in a trauma setting. Sometimes, they have an inability to be able to communicate properly compared to a sound of mind adult. Special precautions need to be taken in order to help calm a pediatric patient versus treating an adult.

Children have larger tongues than adults so it’s imperative to maintain an open airway.

Children’s vital signs can change faster than adults so they should be monitored at least every 5 minutes.

You can get a quick impression of a child based on their appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to the skin and can even be done from a distance. Respirator rates must be measured for 30 seconds because children often have irregular breathing patterns.

Pulse rates of children are faster than adults.

Working with pediatric patients is going to potentially be more stressful as we can become emotional so it’s important to manage our stress before, during, and after care.

When a baby is first born it only breathes thru its nose for about the first six months of its life...except when that baby takes its very first breath! That very first breath is thru its mouth!

If you get called to treat a child that is old enough to talk make sure to communicate with them. They are shy and bashful but typically they will warm up to you if you treat them kindly, get on their level, use eye contact and have a stuffy and/or blanket for them. There are exceptions to every situation but keep in mind that if the child is alert they maybe scared but they still are watching you.

-Social and Emotional needs must take a higher priority than with adults.

-Additionally parents and caregivers need to be looped into the care of the patient because they may already know exactly what has happened, what is happening, and what may need to be done for the patient.

-Viral signs are normally higher than that of an adult or juvenile.

-Respiratory anatomy is different than adults making them more prone to respiratory emergencies.

Children will not be able to fully describe (or maybe not even be able to speak at all) the pain or issues that is going on. They also will not know what a lot of things mean. We as EMS responders need to speak with them in a manner that they are better able to understand what you are asking, and probably answer a lot of "why" questions! It may be necessary to speak with parents or guardians to obtain necessary information regarding the symptoms/onset/etc that the child is experiencing.