What is the most common cause of shock in infants and children?

Hypovolemia is the most common cause of shock in infants and children primarily due to several factors that predispose this age group to fluid loss. In infants and young children, their total body water percentage is higher than in adults, which means they can become dehydrated more quickly. Situations such as gastrointestinal losses from vomiting or diarrhea, as well as inadequate fluid intake, can lead to significant reductions in circulating blood volume.

Additionally, the physiological response of younger patients to hypovolemia differs from adults. Infants and children may not only lose fluids quickly but also have a limited ability to compensate for this loss, making hypovolemic shock particularly dangerous.

Other causes of shock, such as cardiac failure or severe allergic reactions, while serious, are less common in the pediatric population. Accidental poisoning can lead to shock but does not occur with the same frequency as hypovolemic events. Understanding this prevalence can aid healthcare providers in quickly identifying and managing shock in young patients effectively.