Effectiveness of Alovera Gel vs 1% Silver Sulfadiazine in Superficial Partial Thickness Burn Patients in Pediatric Population.

Burn injuries are a significant cause of morbidity among the pediatric population and require effective topical therapy to promote wound healing, prevent infection, reduce pain, and minimize treatment cost. Silver sulfadiazine 1% cream is commonly used as a standard topical antimicrobial agent for superficial burns; however, delayed wound healing and frequent dressing requirements have encouraged the search for alternative therapies. Aloe vera has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, soothing, and wound-healing properties in previous studies and may serve as an effective and economical alternative in burn management.

This randomized controlled trial will be conducted at The Children's Hospital & Institute of Child Health Lahore over a duration of one year. A total of 60 pediatric patients aged 1 to 18 years presenting with superficial and superficial partial-thickness burns involving 1% to 25% total body surface area (TBSA) will be enrolled in the study. Patients will be randomly allocated into two groups by coin toss/lottery method. One group will receive topical Aloe vera gel dressing, while the second group will receive 1% silver sulfadiazine dressing. Dressings will be applied three times daily according to institutional burn care protocol.

Patients will be followed for a period of 14 days to assess treatment outcomes. The primary outcome measure will be the degree and rate of re-epithelialization of burn wounds. Secondary outcome measures will include pain relief, infection rate, and cost effectiveness of treatment. Patients with burns deeper than superficial partial-thickness burns, including deep second-degree and third-degree burns, as well as patients requiring surgical intervention or presenting with major associated comorbidities, will be excluded from the study.

Inclusion criteria

• - Patients aged 1 to 18 years
• Both male and female patients
• Superficial and superficial partial-thickness burns
• Burn extent involving 1% to 25% total body surface area (TBSA)
• Presentation within acute phase of burn injury

Exclusion criteria

• - Deep partial-thickness (deep second-degree) or third-degree burns
• Patients requiring surgical intervention (skin grafting)
• Infected burns at presentation
• Patients with major comorbidities affecting wound healing (e.g., immunodeficiency, diabetes mellitus)
• Known hypersensitivity to Aloe vera or silver sulfadiazine