Burn epidemiology and cost of medication in paediatric burn patients

Area of Science:

• Pediatric burn epidemiology
• Health economics
• Public health

Background:

• Burns represent a significant global health burden, necessitating cost-effective treatment strategies, especially for pediatric populations.
• Understanding the epidemiology and associated medication costs is crucial for optimizing burn care and reducing financial strain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric burns.
• To analyze the medication costs associated with treating pediatric burn patients.
• To identify factors influencing burn incidence and treatment expenditure.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study design utilizing medical records of 140 pediatric patients admitted to a burn center.
• Data collection included burn epidemiology, administered medications, dosages, and treatment duration.
• Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were employed for data analysis.

Main Results:

• The majority of pediatric burns (62.7%) occurred in kitchens, primarily from boiling water (70.7%).
• Over half of cases (55.7%) were third-degree burns, with 19.3% requiring grafting; average hospital stay was 27.5 days.
• Average medication cost per patient was $329.63, with antibiotics constituting the largest expenditure.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric burns, particularly scalds, are largely preventable through household hazard education.
• High medication costs, dominated by antibiotics, necessitate strategies to reduce expenditure and optimize prescribing practices.
• Interventions targeting prevention and cost-effective treatment are vital for managing the societal impact of pediatric burns.