Aim:

There are limited studies that evaluate etiological factors for out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest cases in the pediatric age group. This study aims to investigate pediatric cardiopulmonary arrest cases that are encountered less frequently in emergency medicine practice.

Materials and Methods:

The data of patients with cardiopulmonary arrest aged 0–15 years who were admitted to the emergency service of Balıkesir Ataturk Government Hospital between April 1, 2013 and April 1, 2014 were prospectively investigated. Cardiopulmonary arrest was defined as the patient being pulseless, apneic, and requiring chest compressions. Demographical characteristics, trauma exposure, initial cardiac rhythm, and results of intensive care follow-up of the patients were recorded.

Results:

Fifty children were evaluated in our study. The mean age was 5.3 years (range: 0–15); 52% (n=26) patients were male. Initial rhythms were 84% asystolic, 14% pulses electrical activity, 2% ventriculer fibrtilation. In 60% (n=30) patients, cardiac arrest evolves because of trauma, and the most common trauma mechanism was high falls. In all, 10% (n=5) of the study population considered exitus after undergoing cardiopulmonary resucitation procedures, and 95% had spontaneous circulation and their treatment continued in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Conclusion:

Pediatric cardiopulmonary arrest cases are associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. In our country, we believe that in emergency medicine practice, pediatric arrest cases remain in the background as we more frequently encounter adult patients; these discrepancies need to be resolved.

Keywords: Emergency department, pediatric arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation