Housewarming Flames & Paediatric Burns

You perform the primary survey to assess the 4-year-old child.

List 2 features in your airway assessment that would indicate an inhalation injury?

(0.5 marks for each correct answer; maximum 1 mark).

The child has 20% partial thickness (second degree) burns from the burnt clothing. He weighs 15kg and is not shocked. Calculate his fluid requirements over 24 hours using the Parkland formula.

(0.5 marks for correct formula; 0.5 mark for correct calculation; maximum 1 mark).

After performing your airway assessment, you recognise features suggestive of an inhalation injury. You communicate your findings to the trauma team leader, who then requests for an anaesthetist to intubate this child.

The child is awake, GCS 15, respiratory rate 28 breaths per minute and oxygen saturations are 98% in room air.

There is symmetrical chest wall movement and good equal air entry bilaterally.

Does this child require early intubation? Explain your rationale. (1 mark)