Pediatric Critical Care Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
ventilator-associated pneumonia
A type of hospital-acquired pneumonia that develops in mechanically ventilated patients more than 48-72 hours after endotracheal intubation.
extracorporeal life support
Mechanical cardiopulmonary support using external circulation devices. Umbrella term encompassing ECMO and related techn...
extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit
The complete mechanical system including pumps, oxygenator, and tubing that provides artificial heart-lung support by ci...
extubation
Removal of an endotracheal tube from a patient's airway.
febrile neutropenia
Life-threatening condition in pediatric oncology patients characterized by fever and dangerously low neutrophil counts,...
febrile seizure
Seizures occurring in children aged 6 months to 5 years during febrile episodes, classified as either simple or complex...
FLACC Scale
Behavioral pain assessment tool for non-verbal pediatric patients using five criteria: Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Co...
fluid overload
Excessive accumulation of fluid resulting in positive fluid balance and potential organ dysfunction.
Fontan circulation
Single-ventricle physiology following surgical palliation where systemic venous return flows passively to the pulmonary...
gastroschisis
Congenital abdominal wall defect where intestines protrude through opening beside the umbilicus. Requires immediate surg...
Glasgow Coma Scale
Standardized neurological assessment tool used to evaluate level of consciousness in children, with age-appropriate modi...
Glasgow Coma Scale-Pediatric
Modified version of Glasgow Coma Scale adapted for assessment of consciousness in pediatric patients with traumatic brai...
goal-directed therapy
A systematic approach to hemodynamic management that uses specific physiologic targets and protocols to optimize tissue...
hemodynamics
The study and measurement of blood circulation and pressure within the cardiovascular system.
high-frequency oscillatory ventilation
An alternative ventilation strategy that delivers very small tidal volumes at extremely high frequencies to provide gas...
hypoplastic left heart syndrome
A severe congenital heart defect characterized by underdevelopment of the left-sided cardiac structures.
inotrope
Medication that affects the force of heart muscle contraction, used to support cardiac function in critically ill childr...
intraosseous
Vascular access method through bone marrow when peripheral intravenous access is difficult or impossible to obtain.
intraventricular hemorrhage
Bleeding into the brain's ventricular system, most commonly seen in premature infants.
intubation
Insertion of an endotracheal tube through the mouth or nose into the trachea to maintain an open airway and enable mecha...
laryngomalacia
Most common cause of stridor in newborns, characterized by immature laryngeal cartilage that collapses inward during ins...
meconium aspiration syndrome
Respiratory distress in newborns caused by aspiration of meconium-stained amniotic fluid during delivery.
necrotizing enterocolitis
A serious gastrointestinal condition primarily affecting premature infants, characterized by inflammation and death of i...
neonatal abstinence syndrome
Withdrawal symptoms in newborns exposed to addictive substances in utero.
NICU
Specialized intensive care unit for critically ill newborn infants up to 28 days of age.