Tratamiento médico de las quemaduras en la infancia. Protocolo hospitalario

The aim of this study is to present the medical therapy guidelines for pediatric burned patients applied in our hospital A bibliographic research covering the subsequent five years period was performed in order to update the non-surgical treatment. Prior to the initiation of the treatment an adequate diagnosis about the extension and depth of the burns is required, as well as a knowledge of the pathophysiology of the thermal injury. In this paper we emphasize the need for early management with specific formulas for fluid resuscitation; the need for nutritional support to minimize the devastating effects of hypermetabolism, to improve wound healing, cellular dysfunction and resistance to infections; and finally the need of satisfactory pain control in order to avoid augmentation of stress and hypermetabolism. Appropriate and prompt medical and surgical treatment contributes to wound healing, and to the decrease of infections and mortality.