Orange, California, April 22(BNP): A new study led by researchers at UCI Health highlights critical gaps in the United States’ pediatric burn care system, warning that the current infrastructure may be insufficient to handle large-scale emergencies involving burn casualties.
Published in The Annals of Surgery Open in January 2026, the research paper titled “Current status of U.S. children’s burn care and opportunities for change” underscores the urgent need to strengthen and standardize burn care services for children nationwide.
According to the study, the U.S. burn care system remains fragmented, with inconsistent access to specialized treatment, varying skill levels among providers, and limited pediatric-focused facilities. Of the 75 burn programs verified by the American Burn Association (ABA), fewer than 40 are equipped to treat pediatric patients—leaving significant gaps in care availability.
“The current system is an uneven network with varying skill levels, resources and access,” the authors noted, emphasizing that these disparities could pose serious risks during mass casualty events such as natural disasters or large-scale accidents.
The UCI Health Regional Burn Center in Orange County stands out as one of the few facilities in the region capable of providing round-the-clock care for complex burn cases, including children. As the county’s first ABA-verified burn center and the only one affiliated with an academic health system, it combines clinical expertise with cutting-edge research.
“Children are not small adults,” said Dr. Syed F. Saquib, Medical Director of the burn center. “Burn injuries in children affect growth, development and long-term quality of life, requiring specialized, age-appropriate care.”
The study was co-authored by Dr. James C. Jeng, a leading trauma, burn, and critical care surgeon at UCI Health. It calls for a coordinated national effort to map existing burn care capabilities, identify gaps—particularly in emergency response—and develop actionable strategies to improve outcomes.
In 2025 alone, the UCI Health Regional Burn Center treated 153 pediatric burn cases, with injuries most commonly caused by scalds (67%), contact with hot surfaces (22%), and flame-related incidents (6%). Children accounted for more than a quarter of all burn cases at the facility.
The research also points to increasing risks from climate change and potential large-scale disasters, reinforcing the need for a more resilient and accessible pediatric burn care system.
To address these challenges, experts have initiated a children’s burn care initiative aimed at improving understanding of care delivery systems, strengthening emergency response frameworks, and ensuring equitable access to specialized treatment. The group plans to reconvene within a year to assess progress and refine implementation strategies.
As the demand for advanced pediatric burn care grows, the study calls on policymakers, healthcare providers, and institutions to prioritize investments in infrastructure, training, and coordination—ensuring the nation is better prepared to protect its youngest patients in times of crisis.
