Pediatric Wound Dressings Overview and Considerations for Management

Clinical decision-making in pediatric wound care has unique challenges due to limited research, complex terminology, and the large number of available wound products. These challenges are particularly evident in the neonatal and infant populations, whose skin physiology differs considerably from that of adults. These physiological differences include less cohesiveness at the epidermal-dermal junction and overall structural immaturity, resulting in increased permeability, an increased susceptibility to mechanical injury, along with being thinner as compared to adult skin. The common practice of adopting adult wound care practice standards to serve pediatric patients with wounds remains evident and the need for product evaluation and evidence-based guidelines specific to these populations is clear. This review aims to support clinicians making safer, age-appropriate dressing decisions by addressing this paucity of pediatric-specific standards by examining some current wound care dressings and products used in the pediatric and neonatal populations, while also providing clinical expertise that emphasizes the importance of developmental considerations for dressing selection. This review will also explore some current research on products that are used for treatment on common pediatric injuries such as burns, diaper dermatitis, extravasation injuries, and pressure injuries from medical devices. This overview reinforces the need for more specific research, product review, and evidence-based guidelines to support safe, effective, and developmentally appropriate wound care products for neonatal and pediatric patients.