Galveston Formula Calculator

The Galveston Formula Calculator is a specialized medical tool used to determine the precise amount of intravenous (IV) fluid needed for a child who has sustained a significant burn injury. Developed at the Shriners Burns Hospital in Galveston, Texas, this formula is specifically designed for pediatric patients. It calculates the total fluid volume required over a 24-hour period following the burn. The calculation is based on the child’s body size and the size of the burn. Proper fluid resuscitation is one of the most critical steps in treating severe burns in children to prevent shock and organ failure. This calculator is a vital instrument for doctors, nurses, and paramedics in emergency and intensive care settings. This tool falls into the category of medical and clinical calculators.

formula

This formula calculates the total fluid requirement in milliliters (mL) over a 24-hour period.

Total Fluid Requirement (in mL) = (5000 * Burned BSA in square meters) + (2000 * Total BSA in square meters)

Component Breakdown:

Fluid for Resuscitation: This is the portion of the fluid needed to replace what is lost due to the burn itself.
Resuscitation Volume (in mL) = 5000 * Burned BSA in square meters

Fluid for Maintenance: This is the standard daily fluid requirement for the child, regardless of the burn.
Maintenance Volume (in mL) = 2000 * Total BSA in square meters

Component Formulas for Body Surface Area (BSA)

To use the primary formula, you first need to calculate the child’s Total Body Surface Area and the Body Surface Area that has been burned. This is typically done using a specific chart (like the Lund-Browder chart) in a clinical setting to get the percentage of the burn.

Total Body Surface Area (Total BSA) in square meters: This is often calculated using a formula like the Mosteller formula.
Total BSA (m²) = SQRT( (Height in cm * Weight in kg) / 3600 )

Burned Body Surface Area (Burned BSA) in square meters: This is found by multiplying the total BSA by the percentage of the body that is burned.
Burned BSA (m²) = Total BSA (m²) * (Percentage of Total Body Surface Area Burned / 100)

Fluid Administration Schedule

The calculated total fluid volume is not given all at once. It is administered over a 24-hour period according to a specific schedule.

First 8 Hours: Administer the first half of the total fluid requirement.
Fluid for First 8 Hours (mL) = Total Fluid Requirement (mL) / 2

Next 16 Hours: Administer the remaining half of the total fluid requirement.
Fluid for Next 16 Hours (mL) = Total Fluid Requirement (mL) / 2

Sample Fluid Calculation Table

This table shows sample fluid requirements for a hypothetical child weighing 15 kg (33 lbs) with a height of 95 cm (37.4 in). The child’s Total Body Surface Area (BSA) is 0.60 m². The table illustrates how the total fluid needed over 24 hours changes based on the percentage of the body that has been burned.

Percent of Body Burned	Burned BSA (m²)	Resuscitation Fluid (mL)	Maintenance Fluid (mL)	Total 24-Hour Fluid (mL)
10%	0.06	300	1200	1500
15%	0.09	450	1200	1650
20%	0.12	600	1200	1800
25%	0.15	750	1200	1950
30%	0.18	900	1200	2100

Example

Let’s go through a step-by-step example to see how the Galveston Formula is used in a clinical scenario.

A 5-year-old child is brought to the emergency room with severe burns.
Weight: 20 kilograms (kg)
Height: 110 centimeters (cm)
Percentage of Total Body Surface Area Burned: 25%

Step 1: Calculate the child’s Total Body Surface Area (Total BSA).
We use the Mosteller formula.
Total BSA (m²) = SQRT( (Height in cm * Weight in kg) / 3600 )
Total BSA (m²) = SQRT( (110 * 20) / 3600 )
Total BSA (m²) = SQRT( 2200 / 3600 )
Total BSA (m²) = SQRT( 0.611 )
Total BSA (m²) = 0.78 m²

Step 2: Calculate the Burned Body Surface Area (Burned BSA).
Burned BSA (m²) = Total BSA * (Percentage of Burn / 100)
Burned BSA (m²) = 0.78 * (25 / 100)
Burned BSA (m²) = 0.78 * 0.25
Burned BSA (m²) = 0.195 m²

Step 3: Calculate the Total Fluid Requirement for 24 hours.
We use the Galveston Formula.
Total Fluid (mL) = (5000 * Burned BSA) + (2000 * Total BSA)
Total Fluid (mL) = (5000 * 0.195) + (2000 * 0.78)
Total Fluid (mL) = 975 + 1560
Total Fluid (mL) = 2535 mL

Step 4: Determine the fluid administration schedule.
First 8 Hours: Half of the total fluid.
Fluid for First 8 Hours = 2535 / 2 = 1267.5 mL

Next 16 Hours: The remaining half of the fluid.
Fluid for Next 16 Hours = 2535 / 2 = 1267.5 mL

The medical team would then set up an IV drip to deliver 1267.5 mL over the first 8 hours, followed by another 1267.5 mL over the subsequent 16 hours.

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