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Paediatrics: Treatment for Burns
2021-03-10 12:00 AM
Assume that there are carbon monoxide poisoning and measure carboxyhaemoglobin level and PaO2. Give humidified 100% oxygen until results are available.
Burns: treatment
Initial treatment
Follow a standard protocol
- ABC: if there is evidence of inhalation then a pulmonary toilet with endotracheal intubation may be needed.
- Assume that there are carbon monoxide poisoning and measure carboxyhaemoglobin level and PaO2. Give humidified 100% oxygen until results are available.
- Follow serial arterial blood gases and CXRs.
- Consider cyanide exposure and poisoning if the breath smells of almonds, or if the accident is fire-related, or if there is metabolic acidosis with raised anion-gap.
- In infants with burns >10% of body surface area, or children with >15% burns, consider an IV bolus of normal saline (10–20mL/kg). Further fluid resuscitation should be directed toward maintaining a urine output of 0.5–2mL/kg/h. In patients with >25%, burns use Parkland’s formula.
- Analgesia: pain must be treated. First ensure that ventilation, oxygenation, and perfusion are adequate. Use IV analgesics if required.
- Other injuries: do a secondary survey of associated traumatic injuries. Assess for cardiac and skeletal muscle injury in electrical accidents. In chemical burn, wash and neutralize the chemical.
- Place a nasogastric tube(NGT) and urinary catheter. Follow outputs.
- Pulse oximetry and cardiac monitoring are useful but remember their limitations in carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Eyes: examine the eyes for burn or abrasion, and treat with topical antibiotics if required.
- Give tetanus immunoprophylaxis required.
Box 5.3 Parkland’s formula
0–24hr afterburn
Crystalloid
- 4mL/kg per 1% burn
- Use 50% of this volume in the first 8hr
- 24–48hr afterburn
Crystalloid + colloid
- Use 50–75% of fluid requirements on day 1
- Add albumin (1g/kg/day) to maintain serum level above 2g/dL