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[Children after an electric injury. A retrospective 10 year study]
Insights
Children with low voltage electrical injuries typically do not require hospitalization if their clinical status and electrocardiogram are normal. Further research is needed on preventing domestic electrical injuries in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Toxicology
Context:
- Electrical injuries in children are a significant concern, particularly within domestic environments.
- Previous studies have indicated varying outcomes following electrical shock incidents.
Purpose:
- To analyze the clinical and laboratory findings of pediatric patients treated for electrical injuries.
- To determine the necessity of hospitalization for children experiencing low voltage electrical shocks.
Summary:
- A review of 31 pediatric patients treated for electrical injuries between 1979 and 1988 was conducted.
- Low voltage electrical shocks rarely resulted in cardiac arrhythmias or significant paraclinical abnormalities.
- Children with known injury history, normal clinical status, and normal electrocardiograms after low voltage exposure were deemed low risk.
Impact:
- Findings suggest that hospitalization may not be necessary for all children with low voltage electrical injuries, potentially reducing healthcare costs.
- Highlights the need for enhanced safety measures, such as protected electrical outlets, to prevent domestic electrical injuries in early childhood.
Abstract:
We analysed the clinical and laboratory findings of 31 patients who had undergone electrical injuries and who were treated in our hospital from 1979 to 1988. Only in two out of 30 injuries in the low voltage range we found arrhythmias of the heart caused by the accident. The paraclinical findings did not show any unambiguous pathological values. In accordance with the bibliography we are of opinion that children who underwent low voltage electrical shock may be considered as not endangered, of the case history is known and if clinical status and electrocardiogram are normal, so that they should not stay in hospital. Seldom complications and exeptions are mentioned. Because of the higher incidence in the early childhood and the special risk by nonprotected sockets measures should be propagated to increase the safety in the domestic environment of the children.