A Burd, A Zeng

Abstract

The care of Paediatric Burns patients presents many challenges. Prevention of the injuries has to be a priority but the responsibility of developing and implementing preventive programmes involves many groups. The provision of care is best centralised to optimise the resource allocation and concentrate expertise. Infection remains a major threat in the acute phase and the Intensive Care management of the extensively burned child is extremely demanding. The psychological management of both patients and relatives can be particularly difficult especially when health professionals have little exposure to major paediatric burns. In this case the support must encompass the entire burns team including the patient. Changing surgical strategies have merged the distinction between acute care and reconstruction. With advances in tissue engineering and molecular manipulation the prospect of tissue regeneration with minimal scarring is now the goal of contemporary burns care.