A common cause of cardiac arrest in children and infants is respiratory failure, often due to respiratory issues such as infections, asthma, or choking. Additionally, congenital heart defects are a leading underlying cause in pediatric cardiac arrest. Other causes include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, myocarditis, trauma, and poisoning. Respiratory failure and shock are frequently cited as the most common immediate causes in this population.
Causes of Cardiac Arrest in Children and Infants
- Respiratory Problems: Respiratory failure caused by airway obstruction, infections, asthma, or choking is a very common cause of cardiac arrest in children and infants.
- Congenital Heart Defects: Structural abnormalities present from birth impair heart function and can lead to cardiac arrest.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Thickening of the heart muscle can cause abnormal heart rhythms leading to arrest.
- Arrhythmias: Electrical abnormalities such as ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia can trigger cardiac arrest.
- Other Causes: Myocarditis (heart inflammation), trauma, metabolic disorders, allergic reactions, and poisoning also contribute to pediatric cardiac arrests.
Among these, respiratory failure often stands out as the most frequent cause, especially in infants, while congenital heart defects are a major cause in older children.
