Pre-hospital intubation for pediatric trauma victims is not necessary Summary INTRODUCTION 3 AIRWAY MANAGEMENT IN EMERGENCIES 3 PEDIATRIC AIRWAY ANATOMY 4 PRE-HOSPITAL INTUBATION FOR PEDIATRIC TRAUMA VICTIMS? 6CONCLUSION 8REFERENCES 9INTRODUCTIONWorld Health Organization (WHO) data on the leading causes of death worldwide and the global burden of disease show that traumatic injuries are the leading cause of mortality, morbidity and disability among children (0 - 14 years) - being responsible for more deaths than the combination of other diseases1. It is in this context that pre-hospital care during emergencies becomes very important in the management of injured children as it is for adults. In most cases, the first responders who could be a doctor, a paramedic or even a lay person are the first to provide the much needed (basic or advanced) and vital medical care, all with the aim of optimizing the physiological state of the victim before arrival. nearest medical facility2, 3. Numerous evidence suggests that these initial life-saving supports have an effect on the morbidity and mortality of the injured patient2-4. However, recent research has also shown that interventions such as invasive airway management, intravenous access and fluid administration are associated with a higher rate of complications and failures among pediatric patients, while the few that have proven effective they were provided by specially trained and experienced personnel3. This is due to the difference in size and general anatomy of children compared to adults, so many of these procedures are difficult or lead to complications when performed… middle of paper… head serious injury. Journal of Trauma [online serial]. December 2000; 49(6):1065-1070. Available from: CINAHL Plus, Ipswich, MA. Accessed 7 March 2014.Gerritse BM, Advanced medical life support procedures in severely compromised children by a helicopter emergency medical service. Emerg Med. 2010; 10: 6. Published online March 8, 2010. doi: 10.1186/1471-227X-10-6 Wang H, Yealy D. Out-of-hospital endotracheal intubation: where are we? Annals of emergency medicine [online serial]. June 2006; 47(6):532-541. Available from: CINAHL Plus, Ipswich, MA. Accessed March 7, 2014. DiRusso S, Sullivan T, Risucci D, Nealon P, Slim M. Intubation of pediatric trauma patients in the field: predictor of poor outcome despite risk stratification. Journal of Trauma [online serial]. July 2005; 59(1):84-91. Available from: CINAHL Plus, Ipswich, MA. Accessed March 7, 2014.