Fluid resuscitation in moderately and severely burned children: analytical study and assessment of a new technique

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to study the rapid fluid resuscitation technique in moderately and severely burned children; and to compare it with the conventional method. The present study was conducted on 40 burned children. Their age ranged from 3 months to 7 years and their BSA ranged from 15% to 28%. Half of them [20 children] were resuscitated using a rapid version of the modified Evans formula used in Alexandria Burns Unit. The other half [20 children] were given the same formula in an ordinary rate. Monitoring of the burned children was done using clinical and laboratory parameters. Statistical analysis of the results displayed significant changes in some parameters. Urine output increased in the rapid group. Improvement in the haematocrit values and normalization and stabilization of the heart rate were evident in the rapid group. The burned children in the rapid group received more fluid [2.9ml/% BSA/kg.] than in the conventional group [2ml/% BSA/kg]. Based on this study; fluid therapy in burned children should be given in an amount which is bigger and in a rate which is faster than in the ordinary formula. Recommendations regarding further studies and design of our own nomograms were made