A child’s chances of surviving cardiac arrest may depend on where they live, according to a new study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine.
This study found that certain social factors that influence health are associated with lower odds of children receiving CPR, using automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and surviving after cardiac arrest. These factors include socioeconomic or poverty status, educational level, and minority racial composition.
“This may be due in part to a lack of education on how to administer CPR and AED,” said emergency pediatrics doctor and study author Dr. Mary Bernardin. “Areas with the highest level of education had the highest odds of performing CPR and using AEDs.”
While several studies show that social factors affect the care of adults who experience cardiac arrest, few focused on children and had small data sets. This study is the largest of its kind, analyzing 21,137 data entries across 54 states and territories in the United States.
Bystanders performed CPR on children in approximately 62% of cases and used AEDs in approximately 23% of cases. Only 21% of children survived, and survival was lower in communities with lower educational levels, higher rates of poverty, and a high prevalence of racial or ethnic minorities.
The most common cause of pediatric cardiac arrest was an acute traumatic event. When looking at factors that affect patient outcomes, Bernadin says it is imperative to address gun injuries, which are the most common cause of death among children in the United States.
“Children of racial or ethnic minorities have suffered the majority of gun injuries for decades,” Bernardin said. “Implementing community-based gun violence interventions or prevention could save the lives of children most at risk.”
Additionally, creating educational programs can help those who are most at risk for or experiencing pediatric cardiac arrest. These programs would offer CPR and AED training, as well as specific interventions.
Dr. Mary Bernardin is an assistant professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics at the MU School of Medicine and a doctor of pediatric emergency medicine at MU Health Care. She is medical director of Children’s Emergency Medical Services, deputy medical director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, and director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Education.