Related Experiment Videos
Current expectations for survival in pediatric burns.
R L Sheridan1, J P Remensnyder, J J Schnitzer
1Boston Shriners Burns Hospital, and the Harvard Medical School, Department of Surgery, Boston, USA. sheridan.robert@mgh.harvard.edu
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|March 10, 2000
Summary
Pediatric burn survival has significantly improved, with most children, including those with extensive injuries, now expected to survive. Advances in critical care have dramatically reduced mortality rates for young burn patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care medicine
- Burn management and outcomes
- Trauma surgery
Background:
- Historically, children under 48 months faced higher burn mortality than adults.
- Recent advancements in resuscitation, surgical techniques, and critical care have improved pediatric burn survival rates.
- This study aimed to quantify these improvements by comparing outcomes over two distinct periods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the change in mortality rates for children treated for acute thermal burns over a decade.
- To establish current survival expectations for pediatric burn patients, including those with severe injuries.
- To analyze survival trends based on the percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) burned.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of pediatric deaths from acute thermal burns was conducted.
- Data were collected from two 7-year intervals: 1974-1980 (Group 1) and 1991-1997 (Group 2).
- Children were stratified by TBSA burned (0-39%, 40-59%, 60-100%); those with anoxic brain injury or refractory shock were excluded.
Main Results:
- Mortality decreased significantly across all TBSA categories between Group 1 and Group 2.
- For small burns (0-39% TBSA), mortality dropped from 0.6% to 0% (P=.02).
- For large burns (60-100% TBSA), mortality decreased from 33.3% to 14.3% (P=.02), with no deaths in children under 48 months in Group 2.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric burn survival rates have markedly improved.
- Current medical and critical care advancements mean most children, regardless of age or burn severity, should now survive.
- The study underscores the effectiveness of contemporary pediatric burn management strategies.