Injury Patterns Associated with Shock in Pediatric Trauma Patients: A National Trauma Database Review

Abstract

Initial trauma resuscitation of all ages involves rapidly evaluating and treating immediate life-threatening injuries for the purposes of preventing the development shock, or a state of poor tissue oxygenation. According to current guidelines published by the American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma, shock after trauma is assumed to be secondary to hemorrhage, and immediate intravascular volume replacement is instituted. However, preliminary studies indicate that children with shock after trauma may not suffer from hemorrhagic injuries, but may have isolated head injuries.