›Tachycardia may be absent on beta-blockers despite significant hemorrhage
›Normal BP may mask significant relative hypotension if baseline hypertensive
›Reduced chest wall compliance
›Greater energy transmission from lower-energy mechanisms
›Rib fractures more likely, increasing pneumothorax risk
›Cardiac and pulmonary reserve reduced
›Impaired compensation for hypoxemia
›Lower threshold for respiratory failure
›Medication considerations
›Anticoagulant use common
›Warfarin reversal: 4-factor PCC (Kcentra) 25 to 50 units/kg IV plus vitamin K 10 mg IV
›DOAC reversal: dabigatran with idarucizumab, factor Xa inhibitors with andexanet alfa
›Avoid overly aggressive fluid resuscitation
›Higher risk of heart failure and pulmonary edema
›Analgesic dose reduction
›Morphine and fentanyl at lower initial doses
›Increased sensitivity to opioids and sedatives
›Disposition bias toward admission
›Lower threshold for chest tube even for small hemothorax
›Reduced ability to compensate for ongoing blood loss
›Aggressive pain management to prevent splinting
›Atelectasis and pneumonia risk from splinting higher in elderly
›Incentive spirometry and early mobilization emphasized
›Anatomic and physiologic differences
›More compliant chest wall
›Energy transmitted to intrathoracic structures without rib fracture
›Rib fractures in children suggest high-energy mechanism
›Higher oxygen consumption per kg
›Hypoxemia develops more rapidly than in adults
›Escalate oxygen support quickly if SpO2 declining
›Smaller blood volume
›70 to 80 mL/kg total blood volume
›Loss of 30 mL/kg represents >40% blood volume loss
›Weight-based resuscitation
›MTP activation at 40 mL/kg blood product requirement
›1:1:1 ratio pRBCs:FFP:platelets maintained
›Blood products in 10 mL/kg boluses titrated to response
›TXA in pediatric trauma
›15 mg/kg IV bolus (max 1 g) then 2 mg/kg/h for 8 hours
›Limited pediatric data; extrapolated from adult evidence
›Chest tube sizing by weight
›<10 kg: 10 to 14 Fr
›10 to 20 kg: 16 to 20 Fr
›>20 kg: 20 to 28 Fr
›Child protection considerations
›Self-inflicted or assault mechanism requires child protection evaluation
›Mandatory reporting obligation
›Social work and child protection service involvement
›Non-accidental trauma must be considered
›Inconsistent history with injury pattern
›Skeletal survey and further evaluation as indicated