Cutaneous chemical burns in children - a comparative study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Burn Care
• Toxicology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Chemical burns are an uncommon cause of cutaneous injury in pediatric patients.
• Understanding the epidemiology and characteristics of childhood chemical burns is crucial for effective management.
• Comparing pediatric chemical burns to adult cases within the same population can reveal unique patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence and characteristics of childhood chemical burns.
• To compare pediatric chemical burns with adult chemical burns from the same geographic area.
• To identify risk factors and patterns associated with chemical burns in children.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 2054 patients referred to a pediatric burns unit.
• Identification of 24 cases of cutaneous chemical burns in children.
• Comparison with a cohort of adult patients with chemical burns from the same population.

Main Results:

• Chemical burns accounted for 1.1% of pediatric burns, with over half occurring in domestic settings.
• Mean total body surface area (TBSA) affected was 1.9% in children, identical to adults, but with different distribution patterns (buttock/perineum in children vs. lower limb in adults).
• Children presented earlier, required less surgery, had shorter hospital stays, but received less appropriate first aid compared to adults.

Conclusions:

• Childhood chemical burns are rare but appear to be increasing regionally.
• Distinctive patterns in affected body areas and healthcare utilization exist between pediatric and adult chemical burns.
• Awareness of etiology, distribution, and risk factors, including potential child protection issues, is vital for managing pediatric chemical burns.