Shriners Hospitals for Children Advances the Science of Burn Care

Since the Shriners Hospitals for Children specializing in burns opened, the survival rate for children with burns over more than 50 percent of their body surface has doubled. It is a major accomplishment, but there is still much to learn about treating pediatric burn injuries.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is committed to conducting medical research covering the various aspects of burn injury and treatment, including:

• Burn-wound treatment and healing
• Fluid resuscitation (tightly controlled intravenous fluid administration) 
• Infection control
• Nutrition and metabolism
• Inhalation injury

Advances made by researchers include the invention of cultured skin substitute, which is a major improvement in coverage of large burns. Additional advances in wound healing include proving that prompt surgical removal of burned tissue increases a patient’s potential for survival, improves long-term function and decreases the need for reconstructive surgeries.

Advances in fluid resuscitation include the creation of a formula based on body surface area and body weight, which is more appropriate for pediatric patients and is now used worldwide. Usage of this formula has decreased the mortality rate from kidney failure among children with severe burn injuries from 100 percent to 56 percent.

Shriners Hospitals for Children’s research studies also proved that beginning resuscitation treatment within two to four hours of injury improves survival, organ function and long-term outcomes of patients with severe burns. Also, understanding that inhalation injury causes fluid to build up in the lungs, and that additional fluid resuscitation actually reduces this buildup, has led to a new worldwide standard of care for fluid resuscitation in pediatric burn patients.

In addition, Shriners Hospitals for Children’s researchers have contributed to increased understanding of hypermetabolism and the nutrient requirements of patients with burn injuries.

The effects of burn injuries may last a lifetime, but researchers at Shriners Hospitals for Children are dedicated to improving long-term outcomes for patients with burn injuries, especially in the areas of scar development, rehabilitation and psychological adjustment. For example, the use of pressure garments minimizes scarring, and a 12-week exercise program decreases the need for reconstructive surgery, improves quality of life, and eases return to the home community.

The emphasis on research and education is proof of Shriners Hospitals for Children’s’ total commitment to determining, as well as providing, the best care for children with burn injuries.

The Shriners Hospitals for Children health care system depends on donations to fund all its programs, including research. You can support this effort by donating today.