Background

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The American Burn Association estimates that burn injuries claim the lives of at least 3,000 United States civilians and send another 500,000 to seek medical attention each year, of which 40,000 cases require hospitalization. Annual US expenditure on burn injuries is more than $2B in direct costs, with immeasurable indirect costs.  Of burn patients admitted to hospitals, 10% have burns that exceed 30% of the Total Body Surface Area (TBSA). In addition, burns represent 5 to 20% of all combat related injuries; 20% of which are considered severe or involve more than 20% of TBSA. These burns result in significant morbidity and mortality, as well as long-term complications including functional impairment and aesthetic disfigurement. 

Burns are dynamic injuries characterized by progressive extension of the size and severity (depth) of the burn over the course of several days. Burn progression is a well-known, but not completely understood phenomenon, with no FDA-approved preventative treatment.