Objectives
The COVID-19 pandemic is a health issue affecting people worldwide. Although SARS CoV-2 infection was less frequent and generally less severe in children, the occurrence of burn injuries with the subsequent alteration of the immune system could turn burn patients into a more vulnerable population. The number of pediatric burns and COVID-19 association reported so far is small. This is why we consider important to share the experience of our department in the management of pediatric burns with COVID-19.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the electronic database of the hospital, searching for patients hospitalized for burn injuries in the Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and Burns Department of the “Grigore Alexandrescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children, Bucharest, that presented concomitant SARS CoV-2 infection confirmed by RT-PCR testing. The search was performed using classic ICD-10 codes T2*-T3* for burn injuries and the new U07.1 code (standing for confirmed COVID-19). The investigated period run from February 2020 (month of the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Romania) till February 2022.
Results
During the defined period we retrieved 21 cases of concomitant presence of burns in our pediatric population and confirmed COVID-19. The occurrence of the cases was in accordance with the national trend regarding the pandemic waves, with most of patients registered in September-November 2021 (Delta variant) and January-February 2022 (Omicron variant), The average TBSA was 23% (range 5% - 90%), The major burn etiology was scalds. The patients were isolated in the COVID-19 ward and burn wounds were managed conservatively for 15 patients and required excision and grafting for 6 cases. For the SARS CoV-2 infection only one case required specific treatment (redemsivir), the rest of the cases only had the general supportive systemic treatment given for their burn injuries. None of the patients needed mechanical ventilation for the SARS CoV-2 infection The hospital stay was mostly correlated with the burn etiology and extent, and was not significantly affected by the concomitant infectious condition.
Conclusion
Concomitant COVID-19 infection might complicate the surgical and medical management of burn patients. Patients need to be isolated and healthcare staff must effective use all PPE. However, this study has shown that despite the burns, children developed a mild-to- moderate COVID-19 disease in the majority of cases. At the same time, it did not show an increase hospital stay caused by the association with SARS CoV-2 infection.

**Objectives**
The COVID-19 pandemic is a health issue affecting people worldwide. Although SARS CoV-2 infection was less frequent and generally less severe in children, the occurrence of burn injuries with the subsequent alteration of the immune system could turn burn patients into a more vulnerable population. The number of pediatric burns and COVID-19 association reported so far is small. This is why we consider important to share the experience of our department in the management of pediatric burns with COVID-19.
**Methods**
We retrospectively reviewed the electronic database of the hospital, searching for patients hospitalized for burn injuries in the Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and Burns Department of the “Grigore Alexandrescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children, Bucharest, that presented concomitant SARS CoV-2 infection confirmed by RT-PCR testing. The search was performed using classic ICD-10 codes T2*-T3* for burn injuries and the new U07.1 code (standing for confirmed COVID-19). The investigated period run from February 2020 (month of the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Romania) till February 2022.
**Results**
During the defined period we retrieved 21 cases of concomitant presence of burns in our pediatric population and confirmed COVID-19. The occurrence of the cases was in accordance with the national trend regarding the pandemic waves, with most of patients registered in September-November 2021 (Delta variant) and January-February 2022 (Omicron variant), The average TBSA was 23% (range 5% - 90%), The major burn etiology was scalds. The patients were isolated in the COVID-19 ward and burn wounds were managed conservatively for 15 patients and required excision and grafting for 6 cases. For the SARS CoV-2 infection only one case required specific treatment (redemsivir), the rest of the cases only had the general supportive systemic treatment given for their burn injuries. None of the patients needed mechanical ventilation for the SARS CoV-2 infection The hospital stay was mostly correlated with the burn etiology and extent, and was not significantly affected by the concomitant infectious condition.
**Conclusion**
Concomitant COVID-19 infection might complicate the surgical and medical management of burn patients. Patients need to be isolated and healthcare staff must effective use all PPE. However, this study has shown that despite the burns, children developed a mild-to- moderate COVID-19 disease in the majority of cases. At the same time, it did not show an increase hospital stay caused by the association with SARS CoV-2 infection.

P.078 SARS CoV-2 Infection in Pediatric Burns: Experience of a National Referral Center

Dear friends and colleagues,

We will be pleased to welcome you in Turin (Italy) for the 19th European Burns Association´s Congress in 2022. Italy is honored to hold the meeting of the European Burns Association for the second time, after Verona in 1995. Turin is easily reachable from everywhere in Europe, either travelling by car, train or choosing flight connections. During the meeting, held in the renewed industrial center of the main Italian historical automotive factory (i.e. Lingotto-FIAT), we will meet international burn specialists, focusing on standards of care, progresses in burn treatment, strategies to face disaster situations, with a special attention to education of younger colleagues. However, in your spare time, you might enjoy the sweet days of Italian late summer, simply wandering in the green parks and gardens along the two rivers which cross the city, or you might decide to discover the numerous art galleries, churches, palaces, libraries, walking across elegant squares and large boulevards, passing through centuries of art and history; finally, you may choose to immerse yourself in some of the most exciting museum experiences, such as the Cinema Museum and the Turin’s Egyptian museum.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Turin for the 19th European Association´s Congress in 2022!
Maurizio Stella, Congress President, Turin Burn Centre