Critical Care

Recognition and evaluation of a critically ill child can be challenging in a busy pediatric practice. A pediatrician is presented with a myriad of illnesses ranging from a simple viral infection to a life-threatening event. The index of suspicion for children must be maintained at high levels at all times regardless of the patient’s location: office, emergency room, urgent care, or inpatient. In this chapter, we will review the basics of the common critical illnesses in children.