Anatomical Differences

Question 1

Head Anatomical differences

Answer 1

• Large and heavy in proportion to the body
• Large area for heat loss (accounts for almost 20% body surface area)
• Soft skull (Fontanel: Soft = dehydrated, Protruding = over-hydrated)
• Falls = more prone to head injuries

Question 2

Neck Anatomical differences

Answer 2

• Weak muscles and ligaments
• Short and fat neck
• Prone to neck flexion/extension
• Difficult to apply cervical collar (less than 5 years of age AV doesn’t have collars small enough)

Question 3

Chest Anatomical differences

Answer 3

• Soft pliable ribs, fractures indicate a severe force
• rib cage does not expand easily for breathing
• chest muscles weaker and tire easily
• soft sternum
• ribs are more horizontal than curved

Question 4

Abdomen Anatomical differences

Answer 4

• protruding
• less fat and muscle protecting organs (prone to seat belt injuries)
• smaller stomach capacity
• distention with air is more likely to cause vomiting
• liver and spleen less protected by ribs and abdomen wall
• marked movement with normal respiration

Question 5

Musculoskeletal Anatomical differences

Answer 5

• bones are softer and more likely to bend/break
• green stick are more common
• dislocations are common
• ligaments are stronger, breaks occur rather than sprain

Question 6

Skin Anatomical differences

Answer 6

• thinner and more sensitive
• bruise and burn easily (often at lower temperatures)
• generally heal better than adults
• less fat for insulation
• more sensitive to allergens

Question 7

Temperature Anatomical differences

Answer 7

• Unable to regulate temperature as well as adults due to immature hypothalamus
• susceptibility to heat loss and over heating
• temperature spikes rather than increasing gradually (potential to cause febrile convulsions)
• infants less able to sweat to dissipate heat

Question 8

Airway Anatomical differences

Answer 8

• infants are nose breathers
• tonsils can enlarge and block airway
• airway is narrower and shorter
• large tongue, small mouth
• loose teeth
• soft palate

Question 9

Cardiovascular Anatomical differences

Answer 9

• less storage of blood in veins
• less muscle mass in heart wall
• compromised by smaller loss of blood than adults due to small blood volume
• high heart rate
• poor ability to compensate with stroke volume volume
• less likely to experaince VF/VT arrest due to health heart tissue

Question 10

Respriatory Anatomical differences

Answer 10

• breathing rate is higher due to increased demand for oxygen
• diaphragm is the main muscle breather
• a full stomach or abdominal trauma can affect the work of the diaphragm
• signs of distress include chest wall retraction, tracheal tug, abdo protrusion, pale skin, abnormal sounds, lethargy, sweating and restlessness
• at approximately 8 years old the respiratory system is developed
• impaired ability to increase work of breathing due to immature acccessory muscles