How is a child defined in terms of age range?

In medical and emergency care contexts, a child is often defined as someone from the age of 1 to 18 years. This definition recognizes that developmentally, individuals from 1 to 12 years old are in a different stage of growth, but it extends the classification of 'child' to include adolescents up to the age of 18. This is important in resuscitation practices as it allows healthcare providers to apply age-appropriate techniques and guidelines when assessing and treating younger patients.

The age range of 1-12 years often describes the early childhood stage, while 13-18 years signifies adolescence. Therefore, defining a child as 1-18 years encompasses both early childhood and adolescence, ensuring that patients receive care tailored for their developmental stage. This classification aids in the selection of appropriate interventions and medications designed for children, which may differ significantly from those used with adults.