Risk in pediatric anesthesia.
Risk in pediatric anesthesia can be conveniently classified as minor or major. Major morbidity includes cardiac arrest, brain damage and death. Minor morbidity can be assessed by clinical audits with small patient samples. Major morbidity is rare. It is best assessed by very large clinical studies and by review of closed malpractice claims. Both minor and major morbidity occur most commonly in infants and children under three, especially those with severe co-morbidities. Knowledge of risk profiles in pediatric anesthesia is a starting point for the reduction of risk.
Paterson
Neil
N
Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. neil_paterson@health.qld.gov.au
Waterhouse
Peter
P
D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D007882:Legislation, Hospital; D008318:Malpractice; D008485:Medical Audit; D012106:Research; D018570:Risk Assessment