Nguyen ATM, Chamberlain K, Holland AJA, et al.
European journal of pediatrics. Date of publication 2021 May 1;volume 180(5):1359-1369.
1. Eur J Pediatr. 2021 May;180(5):1359-1369. doi: 10.1007/s00431-020-03905-z. Epub
2021 Jan 6.
Paediatric chemical burns: a clinical review.
Nguyen ATM(1)(2), Chamberlain K(3), Holland AJA(4)(5)(6).
Author information:
(1)Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia.
(2)South Western Sydney Clinical School, The University of New South Wales,
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
(3)The Burns Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead Burns Research Institute,
Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
(4)The Burns Unit, The Children's Hospital at Westmead Burns Research Institute,
Westmead, New South Wales, Australia. andrew.holland@health.nsw.gov.au.
(5)Douglas Cohen Department of Paediatric Surgery, The Children's Hospital at
Westmead Clinical School, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of
Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. andrew.holland@health.nsw.gov.au.
(6)Department of Paediatric Surgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The
University of Sydney, Corner Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead, New
South Wales, 2145, Australia. andrew.holland@health.nsw.gov.au.
Although they account for a small proportion of burns in paediatrics, injuries
from chemicals can be just as devastating as other mechanisms of burn injury. At
least 25,000 chemicals exist which can cause burns: in children, they are often
caused by household chemicals via accidental exposure. The mechanism by which
corrosive substances produce chemical burns highlights the importance of early
and plentiful irrigation of the burn area, removal of contaminated clothes and
careful clinical assessment. Surgical intervention is uncommon but often follows
the principles for thermal burns. This article reviews the aetiology, incidence,
clinical presentation, management, complications and prevention of chemical
burns. What is Known • Chemical burns in paediatrics are often caused by
accidental exposure to chemicals available at home • Differences in the
pathophysiology of chemical burns reinforces the need for early irrigation What
is New • New irrigation fluids show promise in adults and need further study in
children • The nature of chemical cutaneous burns can make assessment of wound
depth difficult. Laser Doppler Imaging (LDI) is an accurate technique that can be
used clinically to determine burn depth in thermal burns and is an area of future
interest in the assessment of chemical burns.
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-020-03905-z
PMID: 33403450 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
