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Epidemiological analysis of burn injuries in children during the first COVID-19 lockdown, and a comparison with the
O Charvillat1, M-C Plancq1, E Haraux1
1Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Jules Verne University of Picardie and Amiens Picardie University Medical Center, Amiens, France.
Insights
The COVID-19 lockdown in France led to a higher incidence of child burn injuries, primarily scalds at home. Increased time spent at home and psychosocial impacts may explain this rise.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood burns are a significant domestic accident concern in France.
- The COVID-19 lockdown (March 16–May 11, 2020) mandated increased time spent at home for children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the epidemiological impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on pediatric burn injuries.
- To compare burn injury data during the lockdown period with the preceding five years.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, observational study comparing two groups: "before COVID-19" (previous five years) and "COVID-19" (first lockdown period).
- Data collected included demographics, attendance delay, burn characteristics, incident location, need for skin grafts, and child reactions to trauma/isolation.
Main Results:
- Sixteen children were in the COVID-19 group (total 37).
- Burned children in the COVID-19 group were predominantly boys (median age 18 months), with a median attendance delay of four days.
- Common burn characteristics included deep partial thickness, lower limb involvement, and scalds, all occurring at home. Half of parents reported child distress.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of child burn injuries was higher during the COVID-19 lockdown compared to the pre-lockdown period.
- No increased delay in seeking medical attention was observed.
- Increased home confinement and the psychosocial effects of lockdown likely contributed to the elevated burn injury rates.
Background:
Child burns rank among the most frequent domestic accidents in France. COVID-19 lockdown between March 16th and May 11th of 2020 increased time spent at home by children.
Material:
This retrospective, observational study described the epidemiological impact of COVID-19 lockdown on child burns in a pediatric surgery department compared with previous five years. Child burns in the previous five years constituted the "before COVID-19 group" as the reference group. Child burns during the first lockdown formed the "COVID-19 group". Demographics characteristics, the delay before first attendance at the surgery department, burns characteristics, the place of the incident, need of skin graft, and child reactions to trauma or isolation were recorded for these two groups.
Results:
A total of thirty-seven children were included, 16 of them in the COVID-19 group. In the COVID-19 group, burned children were mainly boys, with a median age of 18 months. The median time before first attendance was four days. Main burns characteristics were to be deep partial thickness burns, involved lower limbs, caused by scalding. All burns occurred at home. Half parents reported child reactions to trauma or isolation among their children before burn injury.
Conclusion:
The incidence of child burn injuries in the COVID-19 group was higher compared to the before COVID-19 group, but no increased delay to attendance recorded. Time spent at home and psychosocial impact of lockdown might partially explain this high incidence rate of child burns.
Level Of Evidence:
IV.
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