Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
A Standardized Procedure of Dressing Management for Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Published on: March 14, 2025
Management of electrical and chemical burns in children
Hanna Alemayehu1, Amanda Tarkowski2, Jeffrey J Dehmer1
1Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, The Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri.
Insights
Pediatric electrical and chemical burns are rare, requiring specialized care. Electrical burns were deeper and needed more interventions like grafting and rehabilitation compared to chemical burns.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric burn management
- Toxicology and emergency medicine
Background:
- Pediatric electrical and chemical burns are infrequent injuries.
- Current management protocols for these injuries exhibit considerable variation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical course, management strategies, and patient outcomes for pediatric electrical and chemical burns.
- To provide insights into the specialized care required for these rare injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric patients with chemical and electrical burns.
- Data collected from two major regional pediatric burn centers over a decade (2002-2012).
- Analysis of patient demographics, burn characteristics, treatment, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- 50 cases analyzed (25 chemical, 25 electrical burns).
- Electrical burns were smaller but deeper, with longer hospital stays and higher rates of grafting, rehabilitation, and late surgeries.
- Chemical burns were larger, shallower, and associated with shorter lengths of stay.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric electrical and chemical burns necessitate specialized medical attention.
- Grafting is primarily required for electrical burns, highlighting differences in injury severity and treatment needs.
Background:
Pediatric electrical and chemical burns are rare injuries, and the care of these patients varies significantly. We reviewed our experience in management of electrical and chemical burns to analyze the clinical course, management, and outcomes.
Methods:
A retrospective review was conducted on children with chemical and electrical burns presenting to two large regional pediatric burn centers over a 10-y period (2002-2012). Clinical data including patient demographics, nature of burns, management, and outcomes were collected and analyzed.
Results:
There were 50 cases, 25 chemical and electrical burns each. Overall, the mean±standard deviation age was 6.2±5.6 y, and the mean total body surface area burn was 4.3±3.2%. Chemical burns were larger, had less depth, and shorter length of stay, whereas electrical burns were smaller, deeper, and had a longer length of stay. Two chemical burns and six electrical burns required grafting. Twelve percent of electrical burns required rehabilitation, and 20% required compression garments for hypertrophic scars. Six percent required late surgeries.
Conclusions:
Pediatric electric and chemical burns are rare and require specialized care. Graft rates are not high but are mostly noted in electrical burns.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
01:25Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management
01:14Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children