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Epidemiology of burns in pediatric patients of Beijing City
Shujun Wang1, Dawei Li1, Chuanan Shen2
1Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China.
Insights
Pediatric burns in Beijing are common, especially scalds in young children at home. Many burns occur indoors, and a significant number of children do not receive proper first aid.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Burn Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Assessing epidemiological characteristics of pediatric burns in Beijing City.
- Understanding the patterns and risk factors associated with childhood burns is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the epidemiological features of pediatric burns in Beijing.
- To identify factors influencing burn severity and outcomes in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 400 pediatric burn patients admitted to Beijing burn centers (June 2010 - May 2011).
- Analysis of burn etiology, severity (TBSA, degree), injury circumstances (time, place), first aid, and patient demographics.
- Multivariate analysis to determine risk factors for burn severity and long-term sequelae (pigmentation/scar).
Main Results:
- Scalding was the leading cause (88.8%), with peak incidence in May and during meal preparation times.
- Most burns occurred indoors (68.0%), particularly in kitchens (45.0%), affecting the head and neck.
- 47% had mild burns, 35% moderate, 11% extensive, and 7% critical; 30% received no first aid, and 46% only received cold-water rinsing.
- Independent risk factors for burn severity included month of occurrence, living conditions, maternal occupation, and first aid received.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric burns in Beijing frequently occur indoors, especially in kitchens, and are often caused by scalds.
- A significant proportion of pediatric burn patients receive inadequate or no first aid, highlighting a critical gap in public health education and emergency response.
- Targeted interventions focusing on home safety, kitchen precautions, and immediate, appropriate first aid are essential for reducing the burden of pediatric burns.
Background:
This study aimed to assess the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric burns in Beijing City.
Methods:
This was a retrospective study of pediatric patients (n = 400) admitted to four burn centers in Beijing City between June 2010 and May 2011. Burn severity was determined according to total body surface area (TBSA) percentage and degree. Patients were followed up for one year. Multivariate analyses were carried out to determine the factors (burn etiology, time and place of injury, living conditions, hospital type, first-aid treatment methods, and parent/guardian knowledge of burns, educational level, occupation) affecting burn properties (severity and pigmentation/scar).
Results:
191/400 (47.8 %) patients were aged 2-3 years, and scalding was the leading etiology (355/400, 88.8 %). Burn incidence peaked in May (14.8 %), at 10:00-12:00 and 17:00-20:00. Most burn events occurred indoors (272/400, 68.0 %), especially in the kitchen (180/400, 45.0 %). Roughly half of them involved head and neck; 188 (47.0 %) patients had mild burns, 140 (35.0 %) moderate, 44 (11.0 %) extensive, and 28 (7.0 %) critical burns; 184 (46.0 %) patients were treated only with cold-water rinsing or compress; 120 (30.0 %) received no first aid. Only 32 (8.0 %) patients visited a specialized institution. 164 patients underwent surgery. Hospitalization lasted for 14.8 ± 8.1 days. Independent risk factors for burn severity were occurrence month, living conditions, occupation of the mother, and first aid. 288 (72.0 %) patients developed pigmentation and scar within a year while no independent risk factors was observed.
Conclusions:
Pediatric burns often occurred indoors, especially in the kitchen, and a substantial proportion receives no first aid.
