Assessment Criteria (Paediatric)
 
Special Notes
For children up to the age of 14, drug doses are quoted on a dose per kilo basis. The calculated dose is correct even if it exceeds the usual adult dose.
• The body mass to body surface area ratio (body mass index) and the fat-carbohydrate-protein make-up of the child and developing young adolescent is different to that of an adult.
• If the management recommended in these Guidelines is not successful or if further guidance is required for ongoing management, consult with the senior medical staff of the Emergency Department or Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) or the receiving hospital, with a view to further management during transport.
RCH Emergency Department (03) 9345 6153
RCH Intensive Care Unit (03) 9345 5211 or 5212/5213/6555
• AV radios are installed in the RCH Emergency Department, Intensive Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Units to allow direct ambulance communications for consultation and notification of arrival. These departments can be accessed via the AV Metro Clinician. Rural Paramedics may also access this facility using their portable radios if in the AV Metro radio coverage area.
 
 Normal Values
 
Definitions
        Newborn:  
 1st minute to hour following birth
Infant:  
 <1 year
Young child:  
 1-8 years
Older child:  
 9-14 years
10-14 years:  
 age x 3.3 (= weight in kg)
  
Weight Calculations
For children the doses of drugs, DC shock and fluid therapy are based on body weight. If the body weight is unknown, it can be estimated from the child’s age using the following:
         Newborn:  
 3.5kg
5 Months:  
 7kg
1 year:  
 10kg
1-9 years:  
 age doubled + 8 (= weight in kg)
10-14 years:  
 age x 3.3 (= weight in kg)
Refer to the Paediatric Tables for calculations of estimated body weight for specific ages.
  
Normal Blood Volume
              Newborn:  
 approx, 80ml/kg
Infant and Child:  
 approx. 70ml/kg