Comparison of Prophylactic Acyclovir and Placebo in Prevention of Eczema Herpeticum in Pediatric Burns

Overview

Introduction: Early detection is important in treating patients with Eczema Herpeticum (EH), which may arise in paediatric burn patients. As soon as a clinical diagnosis is confirmed, antiviral medications should be started to ensure an early resolution of the disease. Several studies have indicated that acyclovir is the best treatment for EH lesions in the majority of individuals. Objective: Compare efficacy of the prophylactic acyclovir and placebo in preventing eczema Herpeticum in paediatric burn patients

Materials and Methods Study design: Randomised control trial. Setting: Pediatric burn unit Mayo hospital Lahore Duration: 1st October 2019 to 30th September 2020. Data collection procedure: All the patients were managed with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, antipyretics and hydrocolloid dressing as per ward routine management protocol along with prophylactic acyclovir and placebo. On the zero day of admission, after parents provided informed consent, patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups using a computer-generated table. Group A patients were given intra venous acyclovir divided into three doses for 7 to 14 days during their stay. Group B patients were given 15% intravenous Hypertonic sodium chloride divided into three doses as placebo for 7 to 14 days, so that parents could be blinded to group allocation. Patients were observed for developing signs of eczema Herpeticum and Tzanck smear was done every 10th day and first follow up at outpatient department after 7days of discharge.

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