What specific guidelines should I follow for the management of a child in cardiac arrest?

In managing a child experiencing cardiac arrest, immediate initiation of paediatric advanced life support (PALS) protocols is essential, focusing on high-quality chest compressions and early defibrillation when indicated. The UK guidelines emphasise urgent emergency medical care activation (999 ambulance) for any child with life-threatening features, including cardiac arrest, ensuring rapid access to advanced resuscitation ¹. Initial assessment should prioritise airway, breathing, and circulation, with prompt initiation of chest compressions if the child is unresponsive and not breathing normally ¹. The use of age-appropriate defibrillation energy doses and airway management techniques, including bag-mask ventilation or advanced airway placement, should follow established PALS algorithms ¹. Intravenous or intraosseous access should be established quickly to administer emergency medications such as adrenaline, following paediatric dosing guidelines ¹. Continuous monitoring of heart rhythm and response to interventions is critical, with adjustments made according to the child’s clinical status and rhythm changes (Berg et al., 2020). The literature highlights the importance of a systems-based approach to paediatric cardiac arrest, including post-resuscitation care and involvement of critical care specialists to optimise outcomes (Berg et al., 2020). Additionally, recognition and management of underlying causes such as arrhythmias or sepsis should be integrated into the resuscitation process (Cepeda-Nieto et al., 2025; NG51 ³). Emotional and psychological support for the child and family should be considered throughout, especially if the child has life-limiting conditions (NG61 ²). In summary, follow UK emergency paediatric resuscitation guidelines with rapid assessment, high-quality CPR, early defibrillation, medication administration, and specialist referral, while incorporating evidence-based practices from recent literature on paediatric cardiac arrest care (Berg et al., 2020; Cepeda-Nieto et al., 2025) ¹,²,³(Berg et al., 2020)(Cepeda-Nieto et al., 2025).