Pediatric upper aero-digestive and respiratory tract burns

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Burn Injury
• Respiratory Tract Burns
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Upper aero-digestive and respiratory tract burns present significant mortality and morbidity, particularly in adults.
• Pediatric cases are understudied despite their importance.
• These injuries can occur independently or with cutaneous burns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review pediatric upper aero-digestive and respiratory tract burns.
• To analyze patient characteristics, injury details, and outcomes.
• To compare pediatric outcomes with existing adult data.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case note review from December 2000 to March 2011.
• Inclusion of all pediatric cases referred to the New South Wales Statewide Burn Injury Service.
• Data collection on demographics, injury mechanisms, intubation, length of stay, morbidity, and mortality.

Main Results:

• 33 pediatric patients were identified (median age 5.4 years).
• Common injury mechanisms included caustic ingestion (42%), flame (31%), and scald (20%).
• 42% required intubation, often associated with facial and oropharyngeal burns; median length of stay was 6 days. 6% mortality.

Conclusions:

• The majority of pediatric upper airway and respiratory tract burns necessitate intubation.
• Overall morbidity and mortality in children appear lower than in adult series.
• Causative agents like caustic materials or hot liquids may contribute to less severe lower tract injury in children.