RESUMEN
Eighty-six children with burn injuries hospitalized in intensive care wards during the acute period of burn disease were examined. They were divided into 3 groups: with involvement of up to 30%, 31-60%, and more than 61% of body surface. The children were examined during and after shock. The study was aimed at investigating the delivery, consumption, and extraction of oxygen in order to assess the criteria of disorders in the blood gas transporting system. In group 1 these parameters were higher than normally during the acute period, reflecting the adequate reaction to burn injury. Therapeutic measures required volume support with infusion media. In the second and third groups these parameters were increased both during and after shock; for increasing oxygen transport, inotropic support was administered. In the third group oxygen delivery was within the norm which did not correspond to its consumption and, hence, respiratory support was needed.