Can we protect pediatric burn patients from hypothermia in the operating room?

Abstract

Introduction: Burns are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children, ranking third among injury-related deaths. Maintaining body temperature in burn patients is challenging, with the literature reporting an incidence of hypothermia up to 60%. Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study included 54 pediatric burn patients who underwent surgery in the pediatric surgery operating room between January 2016 and December 2019, comprising a total of 112 procedures. The hypothermia was defined as a decrease in body temperature below 36 °C. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I (patients with a body temperature below 36 °C) and Group II (body temperature ≥36 °C). Results: The study included the patients with a mean age of 51.9 ± 43 months, and 49.1% were male. The hypothermia group exhibited a higher burn degree (25% vs 5%, p = 0.003) and percentage [13 (2-60) vs 7 (2-60), p = 0.045]. The total amount of crystalloids used (414 ± 350 mL vs 257 ± 288 mL, p = 0.038) was higher, and the operation time was longer (88 ± 65 min vs 46 ± 48 min, p = 0.006) in the hypothermia group. The incidence of hypothermia was 46.4%. Female gender (OR: 3.968, 95% CI: 1.249-12.609, p = 0.019) and longer operation time (OR: 1.016, 95% CI: 1.004-1.027, p = 0.007) were identified as risk factors for hypothermia. Conclusion: In our patient cohort, the incidence of hypothermia was 46.4%. Female gender and longer operation time were independent risk factors for hypothermia.