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[Epidemiological changes in burned children. A 10-year follow-up]
María de Los Ángeles Rojas Goldsack1, Rolando Saavedra Opazo1, Paulina Vicencio Pezo2
1Pediatría COANIQUEM, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
Insights
Pediatric burn incidence in Santiago, Chile, decreased by 25% over ten years, with hot objects becoming the primary cause. This reduction in burn severity is reflected in lower hospitalization and skin graft rates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric burn epidemiology
- Public health
- Injury prevention
Background:
- Childhood burns represent a significant public health concern.
- Understanding burn incidence and characteristics is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the incidence and epidemiological features of pediatric burns in a Santiago district over a decade.
- To identify changes in causative agents and burn severity.
Main Methods:
- An analytical study reviewed medical records of children (<15 years) treated for burns at COANIQUEM in 2011.
- Data was compared with a similar study from 2001 in the same district.
Main Results:
- Pediatric burn incidence decreased by 25% from 2001 to 2011 (933 to 700 per 100,000).
- Hot objects became the leading cause (27.1%), with increased mechanisms like stove/heater contact and hair irons.
- Burn severity declined, evidenced by a 54% decrease in deep burns and reduced hospitalization/skin graft rates.
Conclusions:
- Childhood burn incidence has significantly decreased in the studied district.
- Hot objects are the predominant cause of pediatric burns.
- The observed reduction in hospitalization and grafting rates suggests a decrease in burn severity.
Introduction:
The aim of the study was to compare the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of burns suffered by children in a district of Santiago of Chile over a period of ten years.
Patients And Method:
An analytical study was conducted by checking through the medical files of children under 15 years of age from Pudahuel district who were admitted with burns to the Santiago Aid to Burned Children Corporation (COANIQUEM) during 2011. A comparison was made with the results obtained in a similar study performed in the same district in 2001.
Results:
In 2011, 440 children were admitted, with an incidence rate of 700/100,000 <15 years old (95% CI: 635-765), a decrease of 25% compared to 2001(Incidence rate of 933/100,000; 95% CI: 856-1010). There were 52% males, 64.5% under 5 years old of age, 88% burned at home, or at other houses where they are been taking care of. There was a significant change in the causative agent, and included, increasing by their relative importance; hot objects (27.1%). The mechanism that mostly increased in occurrence were contact with stoves or heaters, and also emerge that caused by hair iron, and motorcycle exhaust. The most common location was the hand, increasing by 30.8%, and 66.4% showed an extension of the burn of <1% total body surface area (2001, 61%). A significant decline of 54% of deep burns was observed, and 23.2% were admitted to rehabilitation, a similar proportion to 2001. The rate of hospitalization and/or skin graft decreased from 104/100,000 to 62/100,000<15 years old (95% CI: 43-82).
Conclusions:
Burns incidence has decreased. Hot objects are now the main causal agent. The decrease in the rate of hospitalization and/or graft indicates a lower severity of burns.