Principles of wound management in paediatric patients (Second Edition)

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Principles of wound management in paediatric patients (Second Edition)

Rachel Allaway, Claire Gardiner, Janet Hanson, Jessica Murphy, Anushma Sharma
7 November 2024

In 2014, the first edition of this document was published (Rodgers et al, 2014), addressing the need for clear and concise guidance for UK clinicians as to how to deliver optimal care to paediatric patients with wounds. There were, at this time, no existing UK guidelines in this area for healthcare professionals who work with paediatric patients.

Paediatric care remains particularly challenging, as there is a lack of research available to guide practice; a lack of tools for standardising assessment, which can lead to inappropriate treatment choices; and a lack of product standardisation across formularies, along with a poor understanding of which of these products can be used in paediatric patients.

Ten years on from the first edition, clear guidance in this area is still lacking and the need was identified to provide updated information for use in today’s practice. This updated 2024 edition highlights the key principles in wound management in paediatric patients, and provides expanded and up-to-date information where needed.

This updated Best Practice Statement (BPS) seeks to explain, in accessible and meaningful language, the rationale for application of wound care knowledge in paediatric patients with wounds.

This BPS seeks to provide clinicians with a best practice guide covering several areas of wound management in paediatric patients, updated for 2024 and with new relevant sections added:

  • Wound aetiology, assessment and diagnosis in paediatric patients
  • Child- and young person-centred wound management
  • Moisture-associated skin damage prevention and management
  • Pressure ulcer prevention and management.

All guidance is based on best available current literature, local/national initiatives and expert opinion.

Download the full best practice statement below

Disclaimer: This document has been developed by Wounds UK and is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Clinimed Ltd.
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