Galveston Formula Calculator estimates pediatric 24-hour burn fluid, BSA, burned surface area, staged volumes, and remaining infusion rates from injury time.
Important: This calculator is for clinicians/education only and does not provide medical advice. The total-volume and hourly-rate outputs are arithmetic planning estimates, not prescribed IV pump settings, bolus orders, or a final treatment plan. Burn resuscitation must be titrated to clinical endpoints (e.g., urine output, vitals, labs) and local burn-center protocols. Seek emergency care for suspected serious burns, burns to face/hands/genitals, circumferential burns, inhalation injury, or any significant burn in infants/children.
Guidance note: For current guidance, consult your local burn center protocol and authoritative burn-care resources (e.g., American Burn Association materials and major health-system patient guidance on burns).
Galveston Formula
The Galveston (Shriners) formula estimates the total fluid requirement for the first 24 hours after a pediatric burn. Unlike weight-only methods, it uses body surface area (BSA), which makes it especially useful for infants and children because burn losses and maintenance needs scale closely with surface area.
A helpful way to view the equation is as the sum of two parts: the fluid needed for the burned area and the fluid needed for baseline maintenance.
If BSA is not already known, this calculator estimates it from height and weight using the Mosteller equation:
| Variable | Meaning | Typical Unit |
|---|---|---|
| BSA | Total body surface area estimated from height and weight. | m² |
| %TBSA burned | Percent of total body surface area affected by burn injury. | % |
| Burned BSA | The portion of total body surface area that is burned. | m² |
| Fluid24h | Total estimated fluid volume for the first 24 hours. | mL or L |
How this calculator works
- Convert the entered height and weight to centimeters and kilograms if needed.
- Estimate the child’s BSA using the Mosteller equation.
- Multiply BSA by the burn percentage to determine burned body surface area.
- Calculate the burn-related fluid component.
- Add the maintenance fluid component to produce the total first-24-hour estimate.
The total and rate results are arithmetic planning estimates, not prescribed pump settings, bolus orders, or a final treatment plan.
Example
For a child with a height of 110 cm, weight of 20 kg, and a burn size of 30%:
The estimated first-24-hour fluid requirement is approximately 2.74 L.
Interpreting the result
- Total for 24 hours: The output represents the full estimated amount for the first day after injury.
- Time matters: In burn care, timing is counted from the time of the burn, not from the time fluids are started.
- Starting estimate only: Actual fluid therapy is adjusted to the patient’s clinical response, perfusion, urine output, vital signs, and local burn-center protocol.
- Accuracy depends on burn size: A small error in %TBSA burned can significantly change the fluid estimate.
Why BSA is used in children
Pediatric burn resuscitation differs from adult burn resuscitation because children have a different relationship between surface area and body mass. A BSA-based method better reflects both burn-related fluid losses and maintenance needs, which is why height is required in this calculator.
Common input mistakes
- Entering 0.30 instead of 30 for a 30% burn.
- Mixing unit systems without converting height or weight correctly.
- Using an inaccurate burn percentage estimate.
- Confusing total BSA with burned BSA.
- Assuming the calculator output is the same thing as an hourly infusion rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does the calculator ask for height?
- Height is needed to estimate body surface area. Since the Galveston formula is based on BSA, height directly affects the fluid estimate.
- What does the result include?
- The output includes both the burn-related resuscitation volume and the maintenance component for the first 24 hours.
- Is this formula only for pediatric patients?
- It is primarily used for pediatric burn resuscitation, where a surface-area-based approach is often preferred.
- Can this number be used without reassessment?
- No. The formula is an initial estimate. Ongoing clinical monitoring is essential, and serious burns should be managed under appropriate medical supervision.
Important: This calculator is educational and provides an estimate only. Suspected serious burns in infants or children, including burns involving the face, hands, feet, genitals, circumferential burns, or inhalation concerns, require urgent professional evaluation.