Pediatric Advanced Life Support

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Abstract
CARDIOPULMONARY arrest in infants and children is rarely a sudden event. Instead, it is often the end result of a progressive deterioration in respiratory and circulatory function. Both shock and respiratory failure are usually preceded by a compensated state, but children can rapidly deteriorate from such states. Therefore, early signs of respiratory and circulatory failure must be promptly detected and treated so that cardiorespiratory arrest is prevented. Pediatric advanced life support (ALS) refers to the assessment and support of pulmonary and circulatory function. Pediatric ALS is designed to prevent or detect cardiopulmonary dysfunction and arrest in the critically ill or injured child. The components of pediatric ALS are similar in many respects to the components of adult advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and include the following: (1) basic life support (BLS), (2) the use of adjunctive equipment and special techniques for establishing and maintaining effective ventilation and perfusion, (3) electrocardiographic