Pediatric burn
Pediatric burn
A Pediatric burn (pronunciation: /pēˈdēˌatrik/ /bərn/) is a type of burn injury that occurs in children. The term "pediatric" is derived from the Greek words pais (child) and iatros (doctor), indicating the branch of medicine that deals with the care of infants, children, and adolescents. The term "burn" is of Germanic origin, from the Old English beornan, meaning "to be on fire".
Definition
A pediatric burn is a damage to the skin or other organic tissue primarily caused by heat or due to radiation, radioactivity, electricity, friction or contact with chemicals. In the context of pediatrics, it refers to such injuries occurring in individuals under the age of 18.
Classification
Pediatric burns can be classified based on the severity of the burn, which is determined by the depth of the burn and the percentage of the body surface area that it covers. The three main types of burns are:
- First-degree burns: These are superficial burns that only affect the outer layer of the skin, or the epidermis.
- Second-degree burns: These burns extend to the second layer of the skin, or the dermis, causing blistering and potential scarring.
- Third-degree burns: These are the most severe type of burns, affecting the entire thickness of the skin and underlying tissues.
Treatment
Treatment of pediatric burns involves relieving pain, preventing infection, and maintaining body fluids, electrolytes, and calorie intake while the body heals. The treatment varies depending on the severity and extent of the injury. It may include:
- Wound care: This involves cleaning and dressing the burn wound to prevent infection.
- Pain management: This includes the use of medications to relieve pain.
- Surgery: In severe cases, skin grafting or other surgical procedures may be necessary.
- Rehabilitation: This involves physical and occupational therapy to restore function and minimize scarring.
Related Terms
- Burn center: A specialized healthcare facility dedicated to the treatment of severe burn injuries.
- Skin graft: A surgical procedure where healthy skin is transplanted to a different part of the body.
- Reconstructive surgery: A type of plastic surgery performed to restore the function and appearance of body parts affected by burns.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pediatric burn
- Wikipedia's article - Pediatric burn
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