[Burns and scalds in children]

B Landsleitner1, J Keil

  • 1Abteilung für Anästhesie und Intensivmedizin, Cnopf´sche Kinderklinik/Klinik Hallerwiese, Diakonie Neuendettelsau, St.-Johannis-Mühlgasse 19, 90419, Nürnberg, Deutschland, bernd.landsleitner@diakonieneuendettelsau.de.

Insights

Effective pediatric burn care requires a structured approach. For minor burns, intranasal analgesia is key. Severe cases need prompt analgesia, fluid therapy, and careful assessment, avoiding unnecessary intubation.

Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Pediatric Burn Care
  • Prehospital Treatment

Background:

  • Pediatric emergencies and burn injuries are infrequent in prehospital settings, hindering routine skill development.
  • Lack of experience can lead to errors in emergency care for children with burns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a simple, severity-based therapy concept for pediatric burn injuries.
  • To outline effective treatment strategies and common error avoidance in prehospital burn management.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and case report presentation.
  • Development of a severity-based therapeutic concept for pediatric burn patients.
  • Application of a modified ABCDE (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure) scheme.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 80% of pediatric burns are minor, requiring effective intranasal analgesia without invasive procedures.
  • Severe pediatric burn management involves initial intranasal analgesia/sedation, IV/IO access, moderate fluid therapy, and shock management.
  • Burn severity assessment using the palm rule is effective; intubation is rarely needed.

Conclusions:

  • A modified ABCDE scheme enables effective emergency care for pediatric burn injuries.
  • Structured protocols improve prehospital management of children with burns.
  • Intranasal administration is a valuable tool for analgesia and sedation in pediatric burn patients.
Abstract

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