ABSTRACT
Burn injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. In India,
the figure constitutes about one-fourth of the total burn accidents. The management
of paediatric burns can be a major challenge for the treating unit. One has to keep
in mind that “children are not merely small adults”; there are certain features in
this age group that warrant special attention. The peculiarities in the physiology
of fluid and electrolyte handling, the uniqueness of the energy requirement and the
differences in the various body proportions in children dictate that the paediatric
burn management should be taken with a different perspective than for adults. This
review article would deal with the special situations that need to be addressed while
treating this special class of thermal injuries. We must ensure that not only the
children survive the initial injury, but also the morbidity and complications are
minimized. If special care is taken during the initial management of paediatric burn
injuries, these children can be effectively integrated into the society as very useful
and productive members.
KEY WORDS
Burn injuries - paediatric - special considerations
