Effects of topical application of 10,000 IU heparin on patients with perineal dermatitis and second-degree burns treated in a public pediatric hospital.
BACKGROUND
High-molecular-weight sodium heparin (10,000 IU) has been developed based on studies conducted on burn patients; it has anti-inflammatory, antigenic and anticoagulant properties.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effects of topical application of sodium heparin spray on two immunosuppressed patients (a child and a young person) with perineal dermatitis and an immunosuppressed child with second-degree burns.


METHODS
This is a report of three clinical cases treated in a pediatric hospital. Sodium heparin spray (10,000 IU) was applied at a dose of 4200 IU per percentage of body surface area affected over the hyperemic region. Heparin spray treatment was discontinued after crust formation and wound reepithelialization; essential fatty acid was applied until spontaneous separation of the crust or total wound reepithelialization.


RESULTS
Heparin spray had analgesic, angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects, and did not require secondary wound closure. Pain control was of fundamental importance to the patients; in the three cases, improvement in analgesia was achieved within 24 h of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The topical application of heparin spray in patients with perineal dermatitis or superficial second-degree burns demonstrated good tolerability, resulted in good aesthetic outcomes, and reduced pain.
Ferreira Chacon
Julieta Maria
JM
Graduate Program, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros 715, 4o andar, Vila Clementino, CEP 04024-002 São Paulo, Brazil. julieta.chacon@uol.com.br
Mello de Andrea
Maria Lydia
ML
Blanes
Leila
L
Ferreira
Lydia Masako
LM
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000336:Aerosols; D001938:Brazil; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010502:Perineum; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D000336:Aerosols; D006493:Heparin