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Burn injuries among children from a region-wide paediatric burns unit
Khalid M Alnababtah1, Paul Davies, Craig A Jackson
1Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Insights
Childhood burns are a significant injury risk, with spills and contact being the most common causes. Younger children, particularly those of Asian/Asian British descent, face a disproportionately higher risk, necessitating targeted prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Injury Prevention
- Burn Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood burns represent a major cause of severe pediatric injuries.
- Understanding the contributing factors to pediatric burns is crucial for effective prevention.
- This study provides a comprehensive audit of pediatric burn admissions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate socio-demographic and other factors associated with pediatric burns.
- To identify specific risk factors for burns in children presenting to a burns unit.
- To inform targeted injury prevention initiatives for high-risk groups.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study analyzing data from a pediatric burns unit.
- Data sourced from the data service unit (DSU) and ward registers.
- Analysis of 1249 admissions with clearly specified causes for 1156 cases.
Main Results:
- Mean age of affected children was 4 years; 60% were male.
- Major burn causes were spills (61%) and contact (12%).
- Higher burn injury risk observed in younger children, early evenings, and disproportionately in Asian/Asian British populations.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric burn injuries are linked to specific demographics and circumstances.
- Targeted prevention efforts are needed for younger children and the Asian/Asian British demographic.
- Further research and public health interventions should focus on identified high-risk groups.
Abstract:
Burns are known to be a cause of the most severe childhood injuries. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate socio-demographic and other factors involved in children being presented to a burns unit for treatment. This is the first reported comprehensive audit of burns admissions highlighting factors that may relate to the occurrence of burns in children. Raw data was obtained from the data service unit (DSU) and the ward registers of a paediatric burns unit. Of 1249 admissions, 1156 cases (92.5%) had clearly specified causes. The number of annual admissions ranged from 225 to 281 with a mean of 250 ± 25 per year. Eighty-eight percent of burns were superficial and covered less than 10% of body surface area. The majority of cases were males (744 cases; 60%). The mean age of cases was 4 years ± 1.8 years. The major causes of burns were 'spill' (765 cases; 61%) and 'contact' (150 cases; 12%). The largest group was white British (787 cases; 63%) followed by Asian (353 cases; 28%). Mixed and African population groups made up the remaining 9%. The risk of burns injuries is higher among younger children, during the early evening, and is disproportionately high in the Asian/Asian British groups. It is suggested that there is a need to increase injury prevention towards those at greatest risk.
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