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Analysis of pediatric burns in a tertiary burns center in istanbul, Turkey
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpaşha Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. fatihuygur@hotmail.com
Insights
Pediatric burn injuries in Istanbul are predominantly scalds from domestic accidents, affecting males more than females. Improved prevention strategies are crucial to reduce incidence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Burn Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Trauma Care
Background:
- Pediatric burn demographics vary significantly between Eastern and Western cultures.
- This study focuses on identifying demographic features of pediatric burns in Istanbul.
- A tertiary burn center serves a large population from Istanbul.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the demographic features of pediatric burns presenting to a tertiary burn center in Istanbul.
- To compare epidemiological characteristics with Western populations.
- To inform targeted prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 358 pediatric burn cases admitted to GMM HTH burn center.
- Data collected over a 7-year period (2001-2008).
- Analysis of demographic data, burn type, etiology, affected body area, and burn severity (Total Body Surface Area - TBSA).
Main Results:
- Scalds (88.16%) were the most common burn type, primarily from boiling water/hot tea in domestic settings.
- Males were predominantly affected (male to female ratio 1.3:1).
- Most burns were mild to moderate (≤10% TBSA in 74% of cases).
- Urban residence (82.9%) was more common than rural.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric burn epidemiology in Istanbul differs from Western patterns.
- Domestic scalds are the leading cause of pediatric burn admissions.
- Enhanced preventive programs are essential to decrease pediatric burn trauma incidence.
Introduction:
The factors and demographic features of pediatric patients with burns in eastern and western cultures differ from each other. In this retrospective study, our aim was to identify the demographic features of pediatric burns presenting to our tertiary burn center catering to a large population from Istanbul.
Methods:
The demographic data and information of 358 children with burns admitted to the GMM HTH burn center in Istanbul over a 7-year period (2001-2008) were retrospectively reviewed.
Results:
48 children with burn injuries were hospitalized in our burn center during the study period. Out of the total of 358 patients, 33.79% (121) were infants and toddlers, 39.66% (142) were in early childhood and 26.53% (95) belonged to the late childhood age group. Males were predominantly affected, the total male to female ratio being 1.3:1. 297 (82.9%) of the 358 subjects resided in urban environments and 61 (17.1%) lived in rural areas. Scalds accounted for more than half (88.16%) of all burns, followed by contact (4.96%), flame (3.43%), electrical (1.52%), chemical (1.52%) and sunburn (0.38). Boiling water was the commonest agent, followed by hot tea. The three most frequent areas of burns were the upper limb (126 cases, 31.18%), followed by the lower limb (105 cases, 25.9%), and the trunk (94 cases, 23.26%). The majority (74%) of the patients had burns covering up to 10% of TBSA, and in 98.8% of the patients' the burn size was less than 30% of TBSA.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates that the epidemiological features of pediatric burn patients, based on a review of such patients admitted to our burn center, differ in many aspects between eastern and western populations. Scalds occurring in a domestic setting, with mild to moderate burns, caused the vast majority of hospital admissions. It is necessary to improve the preventive programs and strategies in order to reduce the incidence of pediatric burn trauma.
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