Question

Why is it important for Respiratory therapists to know about Neonates and Pediatrics, even if you only work with adults?

Answer 1

Respiratory therapy includes treatment of diseases or infections of cardiopulmonary system.

A respiratory therapist must have good knowledge in pediatrics and neonates even if they have only working with adults.Because,

Pediateric airway is extremely different from adult.The main differences are

• pediatric airway is smaller in diameter and shorter in length than adults.
• the young child tongue is relatively larger in the oropharynx than the adult.
• the larynx in the infant and young children is located more anteriorly compared with the adults.
• the epiglottis in infants and young children is relatively long ,floppy and narrow.
• in children younger than 10 years of age the narrowest portion of the airway is below the glottis at the level of the carcoid cartillage.

beacause of above developmental characteristics the respiratory therapiest must accuire specific skills and knowledge in handling pediatrics and neonates

Inaddition to that the breathing pattern of pediatric patients is different,the equipments needed to perform the procedures like intubation are different in size,the dosages of aerosol based medications are different, the lung capacity of child is different,the therapuetic level of oxygen to administer is different.