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Social health outcomes following thermal injuries: a retrospective matched cohort study

M James-Ellison1, P Barnes, A Maddocks

  • 1Department of Child Health, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) University NHS Trust, Morriston Hospital, Swansea SA6 6NL, UK. michelle.james-ellison@abm-tr.wales.nhs.uk

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|June 18, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with burns, especially under age 3, face higher risks of abuse and neglect. Burn injuries may signal a need for closer professional follow-up for child welfare.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric burn injuries
  • Child abuse and neglect
  • Social health outcomes

Background:

  • Over 50% of pediatric burn admissions are children under 3 years old.
  • Studies indicate 1-26% of childhood burns may be non-accidental.
  • Burn injuries in young children raise concerns for social health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare social health outcomes in burned children versus matched controls.
  • To determine rates of abuse, neglect, or "in need" status by age 6.
  • To assess if burn injuries are associated with increased risk of social services involvement.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective matched cohort study of 145 children under 3 years admitted for burns (1994-1997).
  • Controls matched for sex, age, and enumeration district.
  • Follow-up until 2003 using electronic databases for social care episodes and referrals by age 6.

Main Results:

  • 2.8% of burns were classified as non-accidental; none were attributed to neglect.
  • Burned children were significantly more likely to be referred to Social Services for abuse or neglect by age 6 (9.7% vs 1.4%).
  • 32% of burned children were defined as "in need" compared to 18% of controls.

Conclusions:

  • While most burns are accidental, a small percentage are non-accidental.
  • Burned children face a statistically higher risk of subsequent abuse, neglect, or being "in need".
  • A burn injury may serve as a critical indicator for enhanced supervision and follow-up by professionals.
Abstract

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