Children In Critical Care

Recently Answered

• QHow do dietitians help sick kids eat in the hospital?

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  A Crystal Robertson , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Riverside Community Hospital

  

  Kids who are sick in the hospital can be picky eaters, and dietitians are there to help. In this video, Crystal Robertson, a registered dietitian at Riverside Community Hospital, describes how dietitians help kids find things they can enjoy eating.
• QWill a child be treated in the ER if unaccompanied by an adult?

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  A Dr. Christine D. Darr, MD , Pediatric Emergency Medicine, answered on behalf of Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SL

  A child will be treated in the emergency room (ER) if unaccompanied by an adult. Life-saving evaluation and treatment will be performed even if the parent or guardian is not present. Every attempt is made to contact the parents as quickly as possible to inform them of their child’s condition and obtain consent for treatment. Less emergent evaluation and treatment is typically delayed until the parent or guardian can be reached for consent. Certain conditions may not require parental consent for treatment, such as psychiatric illness, substance abuse or birth control.
• QWhere will my child go for critical care treatment?

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  A Alvin Jeffery , Pediatric Nursing, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  Critical care treatment is typically best provided in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 

  Depending on the illness/injury that occurs, treatment may begin in an Emergency Department, but this is mainly done to diagnosis the problem and stabilize any life-threatening conditions. All Emergency Departments can accept both children and adults; however, the Emergency Departments found in a pediatric/children's hospital focus primarily on children. 

  After the Emergency Department has managed any life-threatening illnesses/injuries, if critical care treatment is required, the child will be transferred to an ICU. Ideally, children will move to a Pediatric ICU. If it is a children's hospital, there may be two types of ICU's...a PICU (Pediatric ICU) and a CICU (Cardiac ICU). Because children with heart problems require very specialized care, a separate unit for cardiac care has been created in many children's hospitals where the nurses and doctors have received additional, specialized training in this area. If not heart condition is present, the PICU will be the best place for your child. 

  If your child is less than a week old or born prematurely, the NICU (Neonatal ICU) may be the best place for him/her. 

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• QWhat is a pediatric intensive care specialist?

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  A Dr. Steven V. Gurland, MD , Internal Medicine, answered on behalf of MDLIVE

  A pediatric intensive care specialist is a physician who has usually completed and received his or her board certification in pediatrics after completing a pediatric residency program.This is followed by what is referred to as sub-specialty training for additional few years in which they learn in depth the care of the critically ill child .After completing the program requirements and passing the required tests they are then certified as a pediatric intensive catre specialist.
  
  The care of the critically ill child is very complex they usually are in charge of the care in a pediatric intensive care unit most commonly found in childrens hospitals and large teaching hospitals that have pediatric subspecialists.They are the primary care physician for the critically ill child who may require physicians from many specialties  to participate in their care and the pediatric intensivist coordinates this and is responsible for the major medical  management of the patient which often can include ventilator management.
  
  They will interact directly with the patients family to help them understand the
  medical issues and explain any complexities that may exist.A very important part of their job is to reassure ,explain and support the family as their child is cared for in an often frightening and unfamiliar intensive care setting.
   
• QWhat are common conditions seen in the pediatric ICU?

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  A Dr. Albert M. Saltiel, MD , Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, answered on behalf of Brandon Regional Hospital

  

  The most common conditions in a pediatric ICU vary based on the ages of the children. Listen as Albert Saltiel, MD, of Brandon Regional Hospital lists the most common conditions treated in a pediatric ICU.
• QWhat do I tell my family about my child in critical care?

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  A Dr. Diana K. Blythe, MD , Pediatrics, answered on behalf of Pediatric Associates

  Telling your family about a child in critical care is very difficult. A trusted relative that can field questions for you is a big help. For some families this is grandma or grandpa, for others an aunt or uncle. Your job is to be there for your partner and your children. By picking a relative to answer for you, you only have to relay the information to one person and save your energy for your sick child, their scared siblings and your partner. 
• QWhat problems do infants have that require treatment in the NICU?

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  A Dr. Deborah Raines, MSN , Nursing, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  Babies are admitted to the NICU for a variety of conditions. The most common is prematurity. A premature baby is a baby born too early- usually weeks or months before the expected due date. A premature baby is small but more significantly their internal organs are not ready to function in the extrauterine world. Premature babies often need the technologic assistance available in the NICU to help with breathing, keeping warm and gaining weight. The technology available in the NICU attempts to support the infant’s bodily functions while the baby grows and matures.  Another reason for admission to the NICU is a baby with a congenital or genetic condition that is evident at birth. These conditions include genetic syndromes such as trisomy 21 or trisomy 18, congenital heart disease, neural tube disorders including spina bifida, cleft palate, limb malformations and others. A third reason for admitting a baby to the NICU is following a difficult birth. Following a long or intense labor or a difficult delivery, the baby may need support making the transition to extrauterine existence or the baby may have aspirated meconium or sustained an injury such as a fractured clavicle or nerve compression during the birth process. A fourth group is babies who at the time of birth or shortly after birth show signs of illness or a condition that would benefit from the special care available in the NICU. These illnesses and conditions include:  infection or sepsis, tachypnea, hypoglycemia, jaundice, imperforated anus, and others. In general any newborn who needs close observation or special care is a candidate for admission to the NICU.

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• QWhat professionals are on a NICU team?

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  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  The neonatal, or newborn, intensive care unit (NICU) team is an integrated team that involves multiple different people with multiple different specialties. The NICU staff includes trained nurses, neonatologists, dietitians, social workers, respiratory therapists and specialty doctors. The team works together to provide care for the infant.
• QWhat support systems are available to families with kids in the ICU?

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  A Dr. Albert M. Saltiel, MD , Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, answered on behalf of Brandon Regional Hospital

  

  Families with children in an ICU require special support because it is often the most traumatic experience of their lives. Watch as Albert Saltiel, MD, of Brandon Regional Hospital why hospitals need to provide comfort and answers.
• QWhat is a pediatric critical care physician?

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  A Dr. Albert M. Saltiel, MD , Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, answered on behalf of Brandon Regional Hospital

  

  A pediatric critical care physician is trained to take care of children who are critically ill or injured. Listen as Albert Saltiel, MD, of Brandon Regional Hospital lists the types of diseases pediatric critical care physicians often treat.