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Updated: Apr 6, 2026
A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
Published on: April 7, 2023
Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Pediatric Shock
Daniel B Park1, Bradley C Presley, Thomas Cook
1*Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Park), Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine; Informatics Medical Director, Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Emergency Medicine, †Assistant Professor of Medicine (Presley), Division of Emergency Medicine; Fellowship Co-Director, Emergency Ultrasound, and ‡Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics (Hayden), Division of Emergency Medicine; Director of Emergency Ultrasound; Fellowship Director, Emergency Ultrasound, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC; and §Program Director of Emergency Medicine Residency (Cook), Department of Emergency Medicine, Palmetto Health Richland, Columbia, SC.
Insights
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) aids emergency physicians in rapidly diagnosing reversible conditions in critically ill children. This article details a simple POCUS method for evaluating pediatric shock patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Critical Care
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Evaluating critically ill children in the emergency department presents significant challenges.
- Rapid diagnosis is crucial for effective management of pediatric emergencies.
- Traditional diagnostic methods may be time-consuming or invasive.
Observation:
- Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) offers a rapid, non-invasive method for assessing critically ill children.
- POCUS provides real-time visualization of internal structures, aiding in the identification of reversible pathologies.
- This technique offers unique insights into the underlying causes of shock in pediatric patients.
Findings:
- A straightforward sonographic approach can be effectively applied to pediatric patients presenting with shock.
- POCUS facilitates the prompt detection of conditions such as fluid accumulation, cardiac dysfunction, and pneumothorax.
- The integration of POCUS into the emergency department workflow can expedite diagnosis and treatment initiation.
Implications:
- Implementing POCUS in pediatric emergency settings can significantly improve patient outcomes.
- This approach enhances the diagnostic capabilities of emergency physicians managing critically ill children.
- POCUS serves as an essential tool for guiding resuscitation and treatment strategies in pediatric shock.
Abstract:
The evaluation of critically ill children in the emergency department is oftentimes challenging. Point-of-care ultrasound is an essential tool in the rapid identification of reversible pathology and provides unique insight into the appropriate treatment approach. In this article, we discuss a straightforward sonographic approach to pediatric patients who present in shock.
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