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Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Severe Burn Injury in a Swine Model for Clinical Dressing Assessment
Published on: November 6, 2018
Scar outcome of children with partial thickness burns: A 3 and 6 month follow up
E L Gee Kee1, R M Kimble2, L Cuttle3
1Centre for Children's Burns and Trauma Research, Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Australia.
Insights
This study assessed scar outcomes in children with partial thickness burns treated with silver dressings. Healing time significantly impacted scar quality, with hypopigmentation noted in some cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Burn Scar Research
- Dermatological Outcomes
- Wound Healing
Background:
- Limited research exists on scar outcomes for pediatric partial thickness burns.
- Acute treatment with silver dressings is common, but long-term scar assessment is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the scar outcomes in children with partial thickness burns treated with silver dressings.
- To identify factors influencing scar quality and appearance.
Main Methods:
- Included children aged 0-15 years with acute partial thickness burns (≤10% TBSA).
- Assessed scar outcomes at 3 and 6 months post-re-epithelialization using 3D photography, Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), and ultrasound for skin thickness.
- Data collected from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing three dressings.
Main Results:
- Days to re-epithelialization significantly predicted scar quality at 3 and 6 months (p<0.01).
- Patient-rated color and observer-rated vascularity/pigmentation showed discrepancies, particularly at 6 months.
- Burn depth correlated with skin thickness (r=0.51, p<0.01); 25.8% of children healing within 2 weeks had hypopigmentation.
Conclusions:
- Provides insights into scar outcomes for pediatric partial thickness burns treated with silver dressings.
- Highlights the importance of healing time as a predictor of scar quality.
- Suggests a need for improved patient education regarding burn scar management.
Introduction:
There is a paucity of research investigating the scar outcome of children with partial thickness burns. The aim of this study was to assess the scar outcome of children with partial thickness burns who received a silver dressing acutely.
Method:
Children aged 0-15 years with an acute partial thickness burn, ≤10% TBSA were included. Children were originally recruited for an RCT investigating three dressings for partial thickness burns. Children were assessed at 3 and 6 months after re-epithelialization. 3D photographs were taken of the burn site, POSAS was completed and skin thickness was measured using ultrasound imaging.
Results:
Forty-three children returned for 3 and 6 month follow-ups or returned a photo. Days to re-epithelialization was a significant predictor of skin/scar quality at 3 and 6 months (p<0.01). Patient-rated color and observer-rated vascularity and pigmentation POSAS scores were comparable at 3 months (color vs. vascularity 0.88, p<0.001; color vs. pigmentation 0.64, p<0.001), but patients scored higher than the observer at 6 months (color vs. vascularity 0.57, p<0.05; color vs. pigmentation 0.15, p=0.60). Burn depth was significantly correlated with skin thickness (r=0.51, p<0.01). Hypopigmentation of the burn site was present in 25.8% of children who re-epithelialized in ≤ 2 weeks.
Conclusion:
This study has provided information on outcomes for children with partial thickness burns and highlighted a need for further education of this population.
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