Laser Doppler Imaging prediction of burn wound outcome in children: Is it possible before 48 h?

BackgroundLaser Doppler Imaging (LDI) assists in prediction burn wound outcome. Previous data has validated this technique in children between 48 and 72 h after burn.AimTo evaluate the ability of Laser Doppler Imaging (LDI) to predict burn wound outcome in paediatric patients prior to and after 48 h from the time of injury.MethodsA prospective evaluation was performed in 400 children over a 12-month period that presented to our burns clinic. Patients were divided into two groups: those that presented within 48 h of injury (n = 160) and those that presented after 48 h (n = 240). Patients were reviewed until healing had occurred or operative intervention was required.ResultsThe median age of the patients was 2.4 years (range 0.1–15.9 years). For patients who presented within 48 h, the sensitivity and specificity of the LDI was 78% and 74% respectively compared to 75% and 85% for those scanned after 48 h. This difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionsLDI predicted burn wound outcome in children within 48 h of the burn wound. Moderate degrees of movement, infection, whether first aid was administered and type of dressing did not impact on the accuracy of LDI.