The unique challenges and coping strategies in pediatric emergency care: a narrative review

Pediatric emergency care (PEC) is a specialized field that addresses the unique physiological, psychological, and social needs of children, presenting distinct challenges compared to adult emergency medicine. These differences influence disease presentation, treatment response, and communication, necessitating tailored care strategies and robust parental involvement. This narrative review aimed to systematically synthesize current evidence and clinical practices to identify and discuss the primary challenges in PEC and an effective strategy for improving the quality of care.

We adopted a narrative review methodology to explore the unique challenges and coping strategies in PEC. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed database with combinations of keywords "pediatric emergency", "child health", "coping strategies", "multidisciplinary care team", and "best practices", focusing on studies published between 2010 and 2024.

This review highlights that the physiological peculiarities of children, such as differences in airway anatomy and drug metabolism, often lead to diagnostic complexities. Psychological factors, including anxiety and fear in both children and their parents, significantly impact clinical outcomes. Key findings show that a comprehensive approach integrating multidisciplinary teamwork, standardized protocols, continuous training, and leveraging appropriate technologies like simulation and digital tools is essential. Furthermore, family-centered care emerged as a critical component, enhancing patient cooperation and reducing distress.

A multifaceted strategy that combines clinical expertise with family engagement and systemic-level improvements is needed to improve PEC and ensure patient safety and optimize outcomes.