Paediatric Burn Guidelines
Assessment and treatment of major paediatric burns >10% TBSA
Fluid requirements
Fluid
resuscitation
Hartmann’s solution (Parkland Formula)
4mls x % of burn x body weight (kg)
= quantity over 24 hours
Give 50% of the fluid in the first 8 hours
Give 50% of the fluid in the next 16 hours
Examples
4x40%x12kgs=1920mls
960mls in 8 hours
960mls in 16 hours
The periods of time are calculated from the time of the burn injury.
Children should have daily maintenance in addition to the fluid resuscitation.
5% Glucose + 0.45% Normal Saline
@ 4mls/kg/Hr for the first 10kg
2mls/kg/Hr for between 10–20kg
1mls/kg/Hr for greater than 20kg
Examples
12kg
4mls per kg for the first 10kg = 40mls
2mls/kg for between 10–20kg = 4mls
44mls/hour
Monitor urine
output
> Burns >15% may require a urethral catheter.
> Urine output should be 0.5 to 1ml/kg/hr.
> If urine output becomes excessive (>2ml/kg/hr) reduce fluid resuscitation rate.
> Observe urine colour, if the urine is red or brown consult WCH Burns Service.
Secondary survey
Other injuries > Check for any other injuries, i.e. cervical or spinal injuries, loss of consciousness, lacerations etc.
Insert
nasogastric tube
> Insert nasogastric tube in any patient with burns >15%, or any patient that is unresponsive or any
patient preparing for air transport.
Analgesia > Ensure that respiratory rate, sedation and oxygen saturation are monitored during morphine administration.
> Initial morphine: Prepare a syringe with 10mg of morphine to a total of 10mls = 1mg/ml.
> Titrate to comfort in five minutely doses.
> <12 months of age call WCH on call Anaesthetist on 8161 7000, pager 3643.
10–20kg use 0.5ml 20–30kg use 1ml 30–40kg use 1.5ml >40kg use 2ml bolus
> When comfortable start morphine infusion at 0.5mg/kg in 50mls normal saline. Run up to 4ml/Hr with
boluses available every 30 minutes.
Medications > Tetanus toxoid should be given if patient is not currently covered.
Burn history Obtain:
> Time of injury.
> Mechanism of injury e.g. scald, contact, flame.
> Location of the event e.g. confined space (risk of inhalation injury).
> Any associated injuries.
Wound care > Obtain advice from WCH Burns Service.
> Wash burns with soapy water, cover with cling wrap.
> Apply White Soft Parafin to the face.
Referral criteria
First aid
First aid > Stop the burning process. ‘Cool the burn’ with cool tap water for 20 minutes. Do not use ice.
If cool tap water has not been applied it is still effective up to 3 hours post burn.
> Remove clothing, jewellery and anything constricting.
> Once cooled, cover burn area with cling wrap and warm the patient. Elevate limbs.
> Chemical burns – Wash copiously with water until ‘burning’ sensation settles.
Primary survey
Airway > Stabilze cervical spine.
> Check airway patency.
> Observe for signs of inhalation injury.
Breathing > Humidified oxygen should be commenced. If breathing is compromised, consider early
endotracheal intubation.
Circulation > Check pulses and blood pressure. Consider IV access.
> Circumferential deep dermal to full thickness burns may cause a tourniquet effect. Escharotomies
may be required. Elevate the affected area. Check distal pulses and capillary return and contact
WCH Burns Service.
Disability > Assess conscious state.
Exposure/
Environment
> Estimate percent of total body surface area burned (%TBSA). Monitor temperature,
avoid hypothermia.
Brief history > Allergies, past medical history, tetanus status, medications and last meal.
Lund and Browder chart
Area 0–1
year
1–4
year
5–9
year
10–14
year
15
year
Adult Superficial Deep Total
%
Head 19 17 13 11 9 7
Neck 2 2 2 2 2 2
Ant. trunk 13 13 13 13 13 13
Post. trunk 13 13 13 13 13 13
R. buttock 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5
L. buttock 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5
Genitalia 1 1 1 1 1 1
R. upper arm 4 4 4 4 4 4
L. upper arm 4 4 4 4 4 4
R. lower arm 3 3 3 3 3 3
L. lower arm 3 3 3 3 3 3
R. hand 2 2 2 2 2 2
L. hand 2 2 2 2 2 2
R. thigh 6 7 8.5 9 9.5 10
L. thigh 6 7 8.5 9 9.5 10
R. leg 5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7
L. leg 5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7
R. foot 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
L. foot 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
Total
For more information
Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Burns Service
Telephone: (08) 8161 7000 and page the burns registrar.
Considerable care has been taken to ensure that the information included in these
guidelines is accurate. These guidelines are intended as an aid only and should not
replace clinical judgment. Any loss or damage incurred as a consequence of using
these guidelines is not the responsibility of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
> Burns greater than 5–7% Total Body
Surface Area (TBSA).
> Burns to face, hands, feet, genitalia,
perineum, major joints.
> Full thickness burns.
> Electrical burns
> Chemical burns.
> Inhalation burns.
> Circumferential burns.
> Burn Injury in patients with
pre-existing medical disorders.
> Burns with associated trauma.
> Suspicious burns.
Women’s and Children’s Hospital
