Pediatric Critical Care Glossary

A ventilation technique using sustained high pressures to reopen collapsed alveoli.

A common viral pathogen causing respiratory illness, particularly severe in infants and immunocompromised children.

An eye disease affecting premature infants, characterized by abnormal blood vessel development in the retina.

Visible pulling in of chest wall muscles during inspiration, indicating increased work of breathing.

Rapid sequence intubation - emergency airway management technique using sedation and paralysis to quickly secure the air...

Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, requiring immediate recognition...

Heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure, used as an early indicator of hemodynamic compromise and blood loss.

Prolonged seizure activity lasting more than 30 minutes or repeated seizures without return to baseline consciousness. N...

High-pitched breathing sound indicating upper airway obstruction.

Inflammation of supraglottic structures including epiglottis and aryepiglottic folds. Potentially life-threatening airwa...

Administration of exogenous surfactant to treat respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants. Critical intervention...

A calculated parameter representing the resistance to blood flow in the systemic circulation.

A ventilation mode that delivers mandatory breaths synchronized with the patient's spontaneous breathing efforts while a...

Abnormally rapid breathing rate above normal age-specific parameters.

Controlled cooling intervention to reduce metabolic demand and prevent secondary brain injury. Established neuroprotecti...

A technique for measuring cardiac output using temperature changes following injection of cold solution.

A group of congenital infections including Toxoplasmosis, Other, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex.

The pressure difference between pulmonary artery wedge pressure and left atrial pressure.

Surgical opening in the trachea to create an airway below the larynx. Often performed in pediatric patients requiring lo...

A congenital heart defect where the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched, creating two parallel circuits.

Enteral nutrition delivered beyond the pylorus into the duodenum or jejunum, used in critically ill children when gastri...

A mechanical pump that supports heart function in patients with severe cardiac dysfunction.

Referring to medications or substances that affect blood vessel tone and diameter.

Medication that constricts blood vessels to increase blood pressure and improve circulation.