Pediatric burns comprise a major mechanism of injury, affecting millions of children worldwide, with causes including scald burn, thermal burn, electrical burn, fire injury, and child abuse.
Scalds are the most common type of thermal burn suffered by children and are commonly caused by accidental spilling of hot liquids, having water temperature too high for baths and showers, steam from boiling water or heated food, or getting splattered by hot cooking oil. Mortality from burns and scalds is low but morbidity (pain and scarring) is high. Rates of injury are highest in the 12 to 24 month age group.
In Medcare Hospital, burn care service is managed by a multidisciplinary committed team of experts comprising of senior experienced Plastic surgeons, Intensivist, Pediatrician, Emergency physician, Psychiatrist, Physiotherapist, dietician and nurses with special training and caring for burn patients. This team make a multidisciplinary collaborative effort to help some of the most vulnerable patients.
Management of burn injuries requires intensive medical therapy for multi-organ dysfunction/failure, and aggressive surgical therapy to prevent sepsis and secondary complications. In addition, pain management throughout this period is vital.
Although many small superficial burns may be managed successfully as an outpatient. For more severe burn injuries, the initial management focuses on early recognition of potential airway, breathing and circulatory compromise and adequate resuscitation.
Care for these particularly vulnerable patients requires a detailed understanding of the multisystemic pathophysiological effects of burn injury on every organ system. Through the use of multidisciplinary teams, burn centers, and advancement of knowledge through sustained research efforts, we can continue to offer these patients an excellent chance for recovery.
