ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the emergency management of the most common conditions requiring treatment in paediatric practice. A simple, structured approach to an acutely ill child has been the focus of Advanced Paediatric Life Support, Paediatric Advanced Life Support and European Paediatric Life Support courses, with training recommended for all those involved in the care of acutely unwell children. Patients or parents of children at risk of anaphylactic reactions to foods, environmental allergens, chemicals or plants should carry injectable adrenaline at all times and know how to use it in an emergency. About 20 children and about 1600 adults die in the UK every year due to acute severe asthma. A chest radiograph should be obtained after initial stabilisation in any child with features of severe or life-threatening asthma, or with a first episode of wheeze, to exclude a foreign body, pneumothorax and mucus plugging.
