Question
How do you calculate the fluid intake for pediatric burn patients within the first 24 hours after injury? When should fluid adjustment be made?
Answer
Within the first 24 hours after injury, children should receive 1.8 milliliters of fluid per kilogram of body weight for every 1% of burn surface area; the total fluid intake should include a basic physiological water requirement of 2000 milliliters. The ratio of crystalloid to colloidal solutions is 2:1, but it can be adjusted to 1:1 in cases of extensive deep burns. After the first 24 hours, the fluid intake should be halved, while the basic physiological water requirement remains unchanged.