Sudden cardiac arrest in children is a condition that can strike without warning, but it's also one that parents can prepare for the worst to happen.This blog will provide you with essential knowledge about cardiac arrest in kids and what to do if it happens.
What Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Cardiac arrest in children is the sudden stopping of the heart. It mainly occurs when a cardiac event triggers a rapid loss of blood flow to all parts of the body, leading to death in a very short time if no one intervenes. It's most common in athletes but can also occur even in children who don't participate in sports.Sudden cardiac arrest is most often the result of a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which can present from birth or develop as a child grows. The muscle around the chambers and valves of the heart thickens, making it harder for blood to flow through and sometimes completely blocking off the flow. It can cause life-threatening irregular heart rhythms that lead to cardiac arrest unless preventive measures are applied. Other conditions associated with sudden cardiac arrest in children are:- Coronary Artery Anomalies
- Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
- Cardiomyopathy
- Long QT Syndrome
- Diabetes
What Happens During Cardiac Arrest?
Cardiac arrest in children comes in two types:- Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)
- Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
Are There Signs of Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
During cardiac arrest, the child's face may turn pale or bluish-gray, and they may suddenly appear very still. Their mouth might drop open, and there won't be any movement except for slight twitching of the lips. Breathing will become regular but very slow, with no gasping or snoring. The child may have a bluish tint around the lips and skin under their fingernails.What Should Parents Do?
Parents are not helpless in the event their child suffers cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association, European Resuscitation Council, and other groups have developed suggested guidelines to follow if a child has an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The following steps are critical if the person isn't breathing:- Check Responsiveness
- Open An Airway
- Place your hand on their forehead and extend their neck back to straighten the air passageway are choking on their tongue.
- Place your ear next to the child patient's mouth to check their breathing. If you don't feel air moving, pinch the child's nose and cover their mouth with your mouth.
- Give two slow breaths until you see your chest rise.
- Check For Breathing
- Check For A Pulse
What Parents Shouldn't Do
Don't assume an ill child has acute cardiac arrest until it's been confirmed by emergency personnel. A child may have a heart attack or respiratory failure that can be treated with CPR or advanced life-support measures. If you see warning signs of respiratory failure, perform CPR until help arrives.- What to Expect in a Hospital
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Is There Help Available?
Parents can help families get the equipment and training they need to save lives. The Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) program provides ECC-trained lay people with manuals, medications, defibrillators, and other materials for use in public places. ECC instructors teach the American Heart Association's CPR guidelines, emphasizing chest compressions and early defibrillation to help prevent brain damage.Local hospitals also have resuscitation equipment and advanced life-support teams to provide treatment until children arrive at a hospital.What Can Parents Do to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Parents can't prevent their child from getting a heart condition that leads to cardiac arrest. Still, they can take precautions to avoid sudden cardiac arrests caused by accidents and other injuries.- Make sure your child has a physical exam each year with an EKG. Have an EKG if you have a family history of heart abnormalities or if your child has any symptoms of heart problems.
- Take all doctor-prescribed medications exactly as directed by your health care provider, and make sure children do the same when taking medication.
- Promote safe play habits such as wearing helmets when biking or in-line skating, using bike safety equipment, and playing team sports only after proper instruction.
- Supervise children closely when using playground equipment or playing sports to ensure they don't get injured. Ensure that helmets and other protective gear are available, and watch for warning signs of serious injury.
- If you have a private backyard swimming pool or hot tub, ensure that the equipment is installed correctly and properly maintained. Please don't leave children unattended near swimming pools and other bodies of water, and keep them away from heights.
- Make sure your child/little why is wearing a seatbelt in every vehicle at all times. Your child should be buckled into the middle of the backseat, if possible, or as far back as possible to avoid airbag injuries. If the car doesn't have shoulder belts in the backseat, put your infant on your lap and hold their chest against your body. Never put your little one/child in the front seat, no matter how short the trip.
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