Burn Program

Specialized pediatric burn care should be obtained for burns to the face, hands, genitals, buttocks, and feet, or when the burn is over a joint (so mobility and scaring do not become an issue long-term).

All electrical burns, and burns involving smoke from a fire (such as those in house fires), should be evaluated at a pediatric burn center. Additionally, children’s airways differ from adults and require management by specialists who are experienced in performing pediatric burn procedures.

A pediatric burn center is staffed by a multidisciplinary team that understands the unique needs of children. Because children are still growing and developing, their treatment requires a different approach.

From managing stress to calculating medication to supporting children through play—an essential part of their development—and maintaining communication with their schools, every aspect of burn care is personalized to the needs of children.

This specialized approach is standard practice in pediatric burn centers, ensuring care is both seamless and developmentally appropriate for young patients.

Patients with burn injuries that require admission for wound care, pain management, potential surgery, or other needs will be evaluated by the burn team at least once daily. During dressing changes, burn specialists will evaluate wound progress; determine if the patient is ready for discharge; assess whether “home in” dressings are appropriate; identify if ongoing patient care is needed; or recommend surgery.

Throughout your child’s stay, patients will be supported by physical and occupational therapists, child life specialists, a dedicated burn psychologist (if necessary), social workers, a schoolteacher for extended stays, and any other relevant medical team members.

All patients are scheduled for follow-up care at our outpatient burn clinic, conveniently located next to the inpatient burn unit. At each visit, your child will be evaluated by our burn specialists, physical and occupational therapists, a burn psychologist (if needed), and social workers (if required). Our burn team monitors wound healing, manages scars, and addresses any new or ongoing symptoms.

Patients may also be referred to Hoosier Burn Camp for additional support, which helps children cope with the pain and trauma of their burn injury.

We also provide resources to support your child’s recovery, including instructional burn dressing videos to guide you through the process of dressing your child’s wounds at home. Watch the burn dressing videos.

Since 1971, the Riley Burn Center has been caring for the special needs of pediatric burn patients. The inpatient burn unit has 10 beds that can meet the needs of children from intensive care through discharge, without the need for your child to go to another unit.

The adjacent outpatient burn clinic provides follow-up clinical and rehabilitative care, and it remains close to the inpatient unit for ongoing support.

If further inpatient rehabilitation is needed, Riley Children's also has a CARF-accredited pediatric unit in the same facility.