The larynx is located more cephalad than the adult's, at level of the third cervical vertebra. The airway can be opened by the chin lift or jaw thrust manoeuvre, and once the oral pharynx has been cleared, oxygen must be administered. If the patient is unconscious special attention must be paid in positioning oral airway. It is not recommended to insert the airway backwards and to rotate it 180 degree as trauma to the teeth may occur. If endotracheal intubation is required, an uncuffed tube is used in order to prevent subglottid edema and ulceration.
Oral intubation is easier than nasal for infants and young children.
After the intubation has been completed reassess the breath sounds bilaterally. Surgical cricothyroidotomy is rarely indicated. Because of the smaller size and greater soft tissue compliance of the paediatric airway and the role of the cricoid in maintaining patency of the tracheal lumen, cricothyroidotomy is not indicated in the patient under 12 years of age because the risk of subglottic stenosis. Treatment of Shock. Shock is indicated by tachycardia, cool extremities and a systolic pressure less than 70 mm Hg.