Pediatric Emotional Distress Reference System (PEDRS)
The Pediatric Emotional Distress Reference System (PEDRS) serves as a quick reference guide to be employed in the field. The guide identifies common distress reactions by developmental level with age-appropriate calming and distraction activities. The PEDRS is cross-referenced with the BroselowTM and HandTevyTM weights and colors to help medical providers determine approximate a child's age when that information is not available. This electronic version was created to allow providers to better access the guide.
- Crying / screaming - can become so intense that the infant turns red and can briefly stop breathing.
- Biting - becomes more pronounced as infant begins teething.
- Sucking
- Turning away / avoiding eye contact when handled.
- Increased startle response.
- Arching back / leg or arm extension.
- Clinging - not letting go or clinching fist.
- Difficulty separating from caregiver.
- Freezing - conscious but non-reactive to stimuli / starting 'off into space'
- Hiccupping
- If parent / caregiver is available and able to respond to your directions, have him/her hold or cuddle the infant during the initial assessment or during medical procedures
- Talk to the infant in a soft, soothing voice
- Gently caress the infant's arms or legs
- Wrap the infant in a blanket
- Provide a pacifier (if you provide one, ask parent permission before giving it to their child)
- Bottle (provided by parent)
- Hold up a stuffed animal / colorful object in the infant's visual field and slowly move it from side to side
- Provide a bottle or pacifier
- Have parent / caregiver talk quietly, using their normal language
- Allow parent / caregiver into the child's visual field
- Talk to infant in a quiet, soothing voice
- Play Peek-a-Boo
- Use mobile device to show on-line videos such as Cocomelon