Respiratory emergencies in childhood

The most important maneuvers of primary treatment of respiratory emergencies in childhood are the securement of free airways, provision of oxygen and (medicamentous) tranquilization of the child. The most common causes of these emergencies are fulminant (infectious) diseases of the upper and lower airways, a particularly significant aspect being the considerable mucosal swelling as compared with adults. Aspiration of foreign bodies is a further cause of acute, life-threatening respiratory distress. Treatment requires a systematic examination and circumspection to achieve in the shortest time adequate temporary improvement until more extensive measures can be performed in the hospital.