The file “The Pediatric Chain of Survival” by Dariush Abtahi, MD, discusses the essential components for improving outcomes in pediatric cardiac arrest resuscitation. It highlights that over 20,000 infants and children experience cardiac arrest annually, with around 7,000 occurring out-of-hospital (OHCA) and 12 per 1,000 hospital admissions being in-hospital (IHCA). The favorable neurological outcome for survivors is about 47%. The presentation emphasizes that pediatric cardiac arrest differs from adult cases, often resulting from progressive respiratory failure or shock, and stresses the importance of early recognition, high-quality CPR, and post-arrest care, including extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). While survival rates remain low, especially for OHCA, the focus is shifting toward neurodevelopmental, physical, and emotional outcomes. Critical aspects include lay rescuer education, early emergency care access, and post-cardiac arrest syndrome management. In sudden witnessed collapses, using an AED or starting CPR immediately can be life-saving.
