Key Points
1. Infants and children have limited pulmonary reserve.
2. Hypoventilation and hypoxemia are consequences of respiratory acidosis.
3. Supplemental oxygen can mask worsening respiratory acidosis.
4. Respiratory acidosis treatment is directed toward each specific cause.
5. Respiratory acidosis requires rapid assessment and stepwise treatment.
Key Words
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Young, E. (2010). Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Acidosis. In: Feld, L., Kaskel, F. (eds) Fluid and Electrolytes in Pediatrics. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-225-4_10
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