The Use of Active Leptospermum Honey in Common Pediatric Wound Etiologies

Problem: Due to a lack of research in pediatric and neonatal wound care, clinicians do not have an adequate evidence base from which to deliver care. Further complicating pediatric wound care is the expectation that these wounds will heal rapidly without complication producing a lack of knowledge transfer to the pediatric population. In an effort to provide a safe, effective wound protocol to patients whose wounds had failed to heal as expected Active Leptospermum Honey was evaluated.

Rationale: ALH has been found safe and effective in a 3 year study of pediatric patients with surgical dehiscence and port-explanation sites.

Method:  ALH was used as the primary dressing on several patients with full thickness wounds which had failed to heal as expected.

Case 1: 6wk.o. male with a history of exploratory laparotomy, lysis of adhesions, Ladd’s procedure, complicated by wound dehiscence. Result: Healed in 14 days

Case 2: A 4 week old with an IV extravasation to left foot. Result: healed with minimal scarring at 59 days.

Case 3: A 4 week old male S/P circumcision with circumferential wound. Result: healed in 7 days with minimal scarring.

Case 4: A 4 week old male with s/p Gastoschis closure with umbilical area wound dehiscence. Result: The wound was rapidly debrided of necrotic tissue and returned to healing trajectory.

Conclusions: ALH was an effective debriding, anti-inflammatory and healing agent in pediatric/neonate patients with non-healing wounds. All patients continued wound care at home and dressing changes were done by their parents.  Wounds were able to heal rapidly and returned to a healing trajectory.