Optimizing Emergency Management to Reduce Morbidity and Mortality in Pediatric Burn Patients | Calculators
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Optimizing Emergency Management to Reduce Morbidity and Mortality in Pediatric Burn Patients (Trauma CME)

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Parkland Formula for Burns

Introduction

The Parkland formula for burns calculates fluid requirements for burn patients in a 24-hour period.

Points & Pearls

  • The Parkland formula is a validated and effective approach to initial fluid resuscitation in the acutely burned patient.
  • Overly aggressive fluid resuscitation, termed "fluid creep," is well documented in critical care literature. Factors that may lead to fluid creep include lack of physician observation of endpoints (ie, urine output), increased opioid use, and the emergency nature of goal-directed resuscitation.
  • Patients with inhalational and electrical burns, as well as children and the elderly, may require more or less fluid resuscitation than is predicted by the Parkland formula.

Why and When to Use, and Next Steps

Why To Use

The Parkland formula has been endorsed by the American Burn Association. It has been shown to appropriately restore intravascular volume and limit the development of hypovolemic shock.

When To Use

  • Use the Parkland formula for patients with acute burns.

Next Steps

Resuscitation endpoints and monitoring:

  • Urine output: 0.5 mL/kg/hr in adults (50-100 cc/hr) and 0.5 to 1.0 mL/kg/hr in children weighing < 30 kg.
  • Heart rate: A heart rate of < 110 bpm in adults usually indicates adequate volume. Narrowed pulse pressure provides an earlier indication of shock than does systolic blood pressure alone.
  • Monitoring blood pressure by arterial catheter is superior to cuff pressures because of the interference of tissue edema. The radial artery is the first choice, followed by the femoral artery.
  • Serum lactate is a strong predictor of mortality, and trends can be utilized to determine hemostatic status; however, it should not be used as an independent predictor of adequate fluid resuscitation.

Calculator Review Authors

David Zodda, MD

Department of Emergency Medicine
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack, NJ

Critical Actions

Critically ill burn patients are best cared for at a dedicated burn center, particularly those who have any of the following:

  • Partial-thickness burns to > 10% of total body surface area. In pediatric patients, this can be calculated using the Rule of Nines for children: 9% for each arm, 14% for each leg, 18% for the head, 18% for the front torso, and 18% for the back torso. Alternatively, the Lund and Browder chart can be used to calculate an age-based estimation.
  • Any size full-thickness burn
  • Burns to hands or genitals Inhalation injury
  • Serious chemical injury
  • Serious electrical injuries, including lightning injury

Advice

It is important to remember that all resuscitation formulas should only be used as guides. Patients should be assessed frequently, with individual adjustments made to maintain adequate organ perfusion.

Evidence Appraisal

Blumetti et al (2008) conducted a retrospective study of patients resuscitated with the Parkland formula at a single institution over 15 years to determine the accuracy of the formula in guiding resuscitation. Using urine output as a guideline for adequate resuscitation, they found that patients commonly received fluid volumes higher than predicted by the Parkland formula, and concluded that the formula should represent a resuscitation “starting point,” but urine output is the most important parameter to control resuscitation volume.

Cartotto et al (2002) performed a retrospective study, and also found that the Parkland formula underestimated the volume requirements in most adults with burns, especially in those with large full-thickness burns. Thus, the Parkland formula is a validated and effective approach to initial fluid resuscitation in the acutely burned patient (Baxter 1974, Cartotto 2002, Blumetti 2008).

Calculator Creator

Charles Baxter, MD

References

Original/Primary Reference

Validation Reference

Other References

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Publication Information
Authors

Hilary Fairbrother, MD, MPH, FACEP; Megan Long, MD; Elizabeth Haines, DO, MAS, FACEP

Peer Reviewed By

Melissa L. Langhan, MD, MHS, FAAP

Publication Date

June 30, 2020

CME Expiration Date

June 30, 2023   

Pub Med ID: 32530588

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