Skip to main content
← Back to Pediatric Critical Care

Pediatric Critical Care Glossary

100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026

ventilator-associated pneumonia

Intermediate Technical IVT

A type of hospital-acquired pneumonia that develops in mechanically ventilated patients more than 48-72 hours after endotracheal intubation.

Showing 1–24 of 100

acidosis

Advanced Technical IVT

Abnormal condition characterized by excessive acid in body fluids, lowering blood pH.

Technical Term Full entry →

apnea

Intermediate Technical IVT

Cessation of breathing for a specific duration that varies by age group, requiring immediate intervention in pediatric p...

Technical Term Full entry →

ARDS

Advanced Technical IVT

A severe inflammatory lung condition causing acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Technical Term Full entry →

arterial line

Intermediate Technical IVT

Invasive monitoring catheter placed in an artery to provide continuous blood pressure measurement and arterial blood sam...

Technical Term Full entry →

barotrauma

Intermediate Technical IVT

Lung injury caused by excessive pressure during mechanical ventilation, potentially leading to pneumothorax or air leak...

Technical Term Full entry →

BiPAP

Intermediate Technical IVT

A form of non-invasive ventilation providing two levels of positive airway pressure.

Technical Term Full entry →

bradycardia

Intermediate Technical IVT

Abnormally slow heart rate that varies by age group in pediatric patients, often indicating hypoxia or other serious con...

Technical Term Full entry →

bronchiolitis

Intermediate Technical IVT

Acute viral infection causing inflammation of the small airways (bronchioles) in infants and young children, often requi...

Technical Term Full entry →

bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Professional Technical IVT

A chronic lung disease of prematurity characterized by abnormal lung development and prolonged oxygen dependence.

Technical Term Full entry →

bronchospasm

Intermediate Technical IVT

Sudden constriction of bronchial muscles causing narrowing of airways and breathing difficulty.

Technical Term Full entry →

capnography

Intermediate Technical IVT

Continuous monitoring of exhaled carbon dioxide concentrations, providing real-time assessment of ventilation and circul...

Technical Term Full entry →

cerebral perfusion pressure

Advanced Technical IVT

The pressure gradient driving cerebral blood flow, calculated as mean arterial pressure minus intracranial pressure, cri...

CPP
Technical Term Full entry →

chest tube

Intermediate Technical IVT

Drainage catheter placed through the chest wall to remove air, blood, or fluid from the pleural space.

Technical Term Full entry →

COMFORT scale

Intermediate Technical IVT

A validated behavioral assessment tool used to evaluate pain, distress, and sedation levels in critically ill infants an...

Technical Term Full entry →

congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Professional Technical IVT

A birth defect characterized by abnormal development of the diaphragm, allowing abdominal organs to herniate into the ch...

Technical Term Full entry →

CPAP

Intermediate Technical IVT

A form of respiratory support providing constant positive pressure throughout the respiratory cycle.

Technical Term Full entry →

CRRT

Professional Technical IVT

A slow, continuous form of dialysis used for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury.

Technical Term Full entry →

crystalloid

Intermediate Technical IVT

Clear intravenous fluids containing electrolytes that freely cross capillary membranes, used for volume resuscitation an...

Technical Term Full entry →

CVVH

Advanced Technical IVT

Continuous renal replacement therapy used in critically ill children with acute kidney injury or fluid overload when sta...

Technical Term Full entry →

cyanosis

Intermediate Technical IVT

Bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes due to inadequate oxygenation.

Technical Term Full entry →

desaturation

Intermediate Technical IVT

Decrease in oxygen saturation levels in the blood, typically measured by pulse oximetry.

Technical Term Full entry →

DKA

Intermediate Technical IVT

Diabetic ketoacidosis - life-threatening complication of diabetes characterized by hyperglycemia, ketosis, and metabolic...

Abbreviation Full entry →

ECLS

Professional Technical IVT

Extracorporeal life support providing temporary cardiac and/or respiratory support using external circulation devices.

Technical Term Full entry →

ECMO

Advanced Technical IVT

Advanced life support technique that provides cardiac and respiratory support by circulating blood through an artificial...

Technical Term Full entry →
Showing 1–24 of 100

Editors from these organisations have used our services since 1998

Reuters BBC Oxford University Press Penguin Random House Springer Microsoft Suncor Energy United Nations Fisher Investments IBM The Home Depot KODAK CHEVRON