Early treatment and intensive care of children with burn injury

Major burn injury remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. The treatment of burned children differs substantially from that of adults not only because of the different body proportions but also because of the metabolic processes involved, hormonal responses, the immunological profile, the degree of psychological maturation and healing potential. After assessing the overall physiological status of the child, accurate assessment of the burn injury and appropriate fluid resuscitation are of great importance. The severity of burn injury is characterized by the depth of the burn, total body surface area (TBSA) that is involved, the location of burn injury and the presence or absence of inhalation injury. Early excision and grafting, adequate nutrition, alleviation of the hypermetabolic response, treatment of hyperglycaemia, and physical therapy improve survival and outcomes in children with severe burns.