Differential diagnosis and management of an infant presenting in shock with a history of sickle cell anemia and a recent fall.
The presentation of shock in an infant can be subtle, yet must be recognized and treated very quickly to prevent decompensation and cardiopulmonary arrest. Treatment must begin as soon as shock is noted and before or along with the evaluation to establish the etiology of the shock. This case report illustrates these principles by describing an infant with sickle cell anemia who presented to the emergency department in shock after sustaining a fall.
Wilhelm
G W
GW
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas-Houston Medical School 77030, USA.
Mehaffey
M
M
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012774:Shock, Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy