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[First aid for severe burns and scalds in childhood]
E Balzar1, E Strigl, V Wiedermann
1Universitäts-Kinderklinik, Wien.
Insights
Pediatric burn admissions have increased, with young children often sustaining significant burns. Improved initial care and transport protocols are crucial for better outcomes in pediatric burn patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric burn injuries
- Trauma care
- Epidemiology of childhood burns
Context:
- The Paediatric Hospital of Vienna University has observed a significant rise in pediatric burn and scalding admissions since 1977.
- A study analyzed 94 pediatric patients admitted between 1982 and 1986, with an average age of 2.2 years.
- A substantial proportion of young children (1-2 years) presented with burns affecting up to 20% of their body surface area.
Purpose:
- To analyze the characteristics of pediatric burn admissions.
- To evaluate the extent of burns and the quality of initial care provided.
- To identify areas for improvement in the management of pediatric burn injuries.
Summary:
- Analysis of 94 pediatric burn patients revealed that 32.9% had burns up to 10% body surface area and 41.4% up to 20%.
- Initial care information was available for only 38% of patients, and 21.1% experienced fever due to negative fluid balance upon admission.
- Despite complications, only 4.2% of patients were transferred due to fever or sepsis, indicating potential gaps in early management.
Impact:
- Highlights the need for standardized primary care guidelines for pediatric burns at the trauma site and during transport.
- Emphasizes the importance of adequate fluid management to prevent complications like fever and potential sepsis.
- Provides data to inform the development of improved protocols for pediatric burn management and reduce morbidity.
Abstract:
A marked increase in the rate of admission of children with burns and scalding has been observed since 1977 at the Paediatric Hospital of Vienna University. The average age of 94 patients admitted between 1982 and 1986 was 2.2 +/- 2.1 years. An analysis of the age group 1 to 2 years revealed that burns with an extent of up to 10% of the body surface were seen in 18% of patients, up to a body surface of 20% in 18%, and more than 30% of the body surface in 5.3%. Among the entire group of 94 patients 32.9% had burns of up to 10% of the body surface, 41.4% of up to 20%. Written information as to primary care at the place of injury or in the nearest hospital was obtainable in only 35 out of 94 patients (38%). 21.1% of all patients had a raised temperature on the day of admission to this hospital as a consequence of a negative fluid balance. However, only 4 patients (4.2%) out of the 94 were transferred because of fever and/or septicaemia. Guidelines are proposed as to primary care at the site of trauma and during transport to hospital on the basis of a survey of the literature.