Children have a higher metabolic rate and a higher what compared to adults?

Children indeed have a higher metabolic rate compared to adults, which correlates with their increased oxygen demand. This heightened metabolic state is due to several factors, including their rapid growth and development. As children's bodies require more energy at any given time, their tissues consume oxygen more quickly to support these metabolic processes. Therefore, as a result of this higher metabolic activity, children typically need more oxygen than adults, especially during periods of exertion or illness.

This aspect of pediatric physiology is important for EMTs and healthcare providers to understand, as it affects how children respond to medical emergencies, their oxygenation needs, and the support they may require during transport or treatment. Awareness of their increased oxygen demand allows responders to provide appropriate interventions, such as supplemental oxygen, to ensure that pediatric patients have adequate respiratory support.