ABSTRACT
Atelectasis often develops as a consequence of thoracic trauma or any significant trauma, often due to pain and splinting. Similarly, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can be seen as a complication of thoracic trauma but also with severe multisystem injuries. The investigation of paediatric thoracic trauma starts with a chest X-ray in the trauma bay to exclude any injury that needs to be addressed emergently such as pneumothorax. A focused assessment sonography in trauma exam can also be performed in the trauma bay to identify a haemopericardium. The most frequent complications of paediatric chest trauma are atelectasis and pneumonia. Empyema is another complication that may occur with an undrained or inadequately drained haemothorax. Patients present with decreased oxygenation, increased respiratory rate, chest pain and fever. Most often, there will be complete opacification of the affected lung on chest X-ray. The treatment of ARDS relies on supportive measures such as high-frequency oscillatory ventilation.
