/Parkland Burn Formula

Parkland Burn Formula

Calculates fluid resuscitation for burn patients

Weight
kg
Total Burn Surface Area (TBSA)
%

Total Score

0

Total volume (mL) for 24 hours. Give 50% in the first 8 hours (from time of injury), and the remaining 50% over the next 16 hours. Use Ringer's Lactate.

0–99999+High

Disclaimer: The clinical scoring and algorithms on this platform are intended strictly for professional informational purposes. They do not constitute a definitive medical diagnosis, treatment, or clinical decision. The final judgment and responsibility lie with the treating physician.

Yasal Uyarı: Bu platformdaki klinik skorlamalar ve algoritmalar yalnızca sağlık profesyonellerini bilgilendirme amaçlıdır. Herhangi bir kesin tıbbi teşhis, tedavi veya klinik karar yerine geçemez. Nihai karar ve sorumluluk hastayı yatak başında değerlendiren hekime aittir.

Clinical Overview

The Parkland Burn Formula is the cornerstone of initial burn resuscitation. It estimates the volume of Ringer's Lactate required in the first 24 hours post-burn to counteract the profound hypovolemic shock resulting from massive capillary leak. The formula calculates 4 mL multiplied by the patient's weight in kg and the % Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burned, with half the volume administered in the first 8 hours.

Clinical Pearl

The formula is strictly a starting point. Modern burn care emphasizes avoiding 'fluid creep' (over-resuscitation causing compartment syndromes). The Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) guidelines now recommend starting at 2 mL/kg/%TBSA for adult thermal burns. Regardless of the formula, fluid rates MUST be titrated continuously to maintain a urine output of 0.5 mL/kg/hr.

Pitfalls & Warnings

  • First-degree (superficial epidermal) burns like simple sunburns must NOT be included in the %TBSA calculation. Only 2nd and 3rd-degree burns count.
  • The 'first 8 hours' is calculated from the exact time of the burn injury, not from the time of hospital arrival. If the patient arrives 2 hours post-injury, the first half of the fluid must be given over the remaining 6 hours.

Academic References

Baxter CR. Fluid volume and electrolyte changes of the early postburn period. Clin Plast Surg. 1974;1(4):693-703.

American Burn Association. Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) Provider Manual. Chicago, IL; 2018.

Disclaimer: The clinical scoring and algorithms on this platform are intended strictly for professional informational purposes. They do not constitute a definitive medical diagnosis, treatment, or clinical decision. The final judgment and responsibility lie with the treating physician.