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

The most common cause of cardiac arrest in infants and children is respiratory arrest. In this age group, the heart is typically healthy, and many cardiac arrests result from an initial respiratory issue. Conditions such as severe asthma attacks, choking, or other respiratory distress can lead to a cessation of breathing, resulting in a lack of oxygen reaching the heart and ultimately causing it to stop. This connection emphasizes the critical nature of effective respiratory management and the need to quickly recognize and treat respiratory problems to prevent cardiac arrest in young patients.

Other causes, while still significant, do not occur as frequently in this demographic. Conditions like congenital heart disease, trauma, or asphyxiation are less common as standalone causes of cardiac arrest in infants and children compared to respiratory issues.