Pediatric trauma: preparation and management.

1. Trauma causes more than 50% of the deaths in children. The leading cause of pediatric injury is motor vehicle accidents involving children as passengers, pedestrians, or bicycle riders. 2. Trauma is always unexpected; therefore, the most vital aspect of any trauma system is that the system itself never be caught unprepared. Anticipation and preparation are the best first-line defenses against traumatic injury. 3. Because of a child's smaller size, vital organs are in close proximity to one another; multiple organ injuries are common. 4. The team who responds to a pediatric trauma should include nurses and physicians trained in principles of pediatric resuscitation.