What are the common causes of cardiopulmonary arrest in children?
Common causes of cardiopulmonary arrest in children are numerous, but most fit into the classifications of respiratory, infectious, cardiovascular, traumatic, and central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Respiratory diseases and SIDS together consistently account for one third to two thirds of all pediatric cardiopulmonary arrests in published series.
Common Causes of Cardiopulmonary Arrest in Children
Respiratory | Central Nervous System |
Pneumonia | Seizures, or complications thereof |
Near drowning | Hydrocephalus, or shunt malfunction |
Smoke inhalation | Tumor |
Aspiration and obstruction | Meningitis |
Apnea | |
Hemorrhage | |
Suffocation | Other |
Bronchiolitis | Trauma |
Cardiovascular | Sudden infant death syndrome |
Congenital heart disease | Anaphylaxis |
Congestive heart failure | Gastrointestinal hemorrhage |
Pericarditis | Poisoning |
Myocarditis | |
Arrhythmia | |
Septic shock |