Abstract
Background: Access to timely and specialized care is critical in pediatric emergencies, yet many rural and underserved areas lack pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) specialists. Telemedicine (TM) offers a potential solution by enabling real-time consultation and decision support remotely. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of telemedicine in managing critically ill pediatric patients in emergency settings, with a focus on improving access in rural and resource-limited environments Materials and Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies published from January 2014 to June 2023 were screened for relevance. Twenty-five studies were included, covering various telemedicine modalities and outcomes related to pediatric emergency care. Results: The findings suggest that TM improves access to pediatric specialists, enhances triage and diagnostic accuracy, reduces unnecessary interfacility transfers, and provides cost-effective alternatives to conventional care. Studies also highlighted implementation barriers, including provider resistance, infrastructure limitations, and variability in adoption Conclusion: Telemedicine demonstrates clear benefits in pediatric emergency care, particularly in underserved settings. Despite challenges, TM is a promising adjunct to traditional emergency systems. Broader adoption and further outcome-based research are needed to optimize its role in improving pediatric emergency care delivery.: