7th child from Guatemala treated for burns

GALVESTON — A child severely burned by the volcano eruption in Guatemala was admitted to a Galveston hospital last week for treatment, the seventh child the hospital is treating from the disaster-ravaged country, a hospital spokeswoman said Monday.

The child was airlifted to Galveston last Thursday and immediately admitted to the Shriners Hospital for Children, where six other children from Guatemala were being treated at the hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit for life-threatening burn injuries.

The hospital also updated the condition of the children admitted June 7 after the Volcan de Fuego eruption June 3. As of Monday, one child was in critical condition, three were in fair condition, and three were in good condition.

“Severe” burns usually means that more than 15 percent of the patient’s body has been burned, but hospital officials declined to specify the exact percentages for the six children.

Dr. Steven Wolf, the chief of staff at the hospital, said the children face months and possibly years of recovery. The general recovery timeline for burns is one day in the hospital per half-percent burn.

A multidisciplinary team at Shriners is providing all aspects of burn care for the children, including surgery, treatment, rehabilitation and psychological support. The names of the patients, all 16 years old or younger, are not being released because of patient confidentiality.

Those who would like to show their support for the children are encouraged to visit the hospital’s website to see how to help or make a donation.