Inicial care in severe pediatric trauma

OBJECTIVES: To present objectively the therapeutic aspects for the management of child victim of trauma.METHODS: The most relevant articles about the management of acute trauma were selected.RESULTS: Children possess great potential for recovery after a trauma, however, inappropriate resuscitation is the major cause of death preventable.Care in the opening and maintenance of the airways, adequate input of fluid to the child victim of politrauma or burns as well as prompt diagnosis and effective management to internal bleeding has improved prognosis and can reduce mortality considerably. Initial assessment and management of the injured child requires immediate procedures towards respiratory failure, shock and life-threatening thoracic injuries in order to provide efficient ventilation, oxyge-nation and perfusion until definitive treatment is performed. Concomitantly, the cervical spine should be protected against new injuries or progression of established injury.CONCLUSIONS: Effective actions in order to prevent accidents and rigorous laws to protect children and adolescents, associated to training and practice of specific procedures to the politraumatized child could surely reduce the unacceptable morbi-mortality in our country.