Augusto Biasini and colleagues outline the stages of care and recommended approaches required when caring for a young patient with traumatic injury

Trauma from burns and scalds in children is more common and more damaging than in adults, and may indicate abuse. The main goal of intensive care of an acute burn is to limit the extent of the systemic insult. Effective treatment of such acute physiological changes requires experienced monitoring by multidisciplinary teams, following appropriate emergency protocols at specialised burn centres in cases of major trauma. First aid involves maintaining a patent airway, supporting circulation and respiration, arresting the burning, managing pain and distress, reducing infection and considering transfer to specialist care. Advances in techniques and treatment have increased survival rates and ultimate quality of life, but education and prevention programmes are still required at all levels to reduce the incidence of burns among children.