The Current Pattern of Pediatric Burn Injuries in an Australian Major Burns Center

Area of Science:

• Pediatric burn research
• Injury prevention and control
• Public health surveillance

Background:

• Burns are a significant global cause of pediatric disability.
• Children's unique physiological and psychological factors present challenges in burn management.
• Understanding trends in pediatric burns is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine trends in pediatric burn etiology, patient characteristics, and management in New South Wales (NSW) from 2010 to 2022.
• To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric burn patterns.
• To identify changes in burn mechanisms, severity, and treatment approaches over time.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study analyzing pediatric burn data from 2010 to 2022 in NSW, Australia.
• Comparison of burn patterns between pre-COVID-19 and peri-COVID-19 eras.
• Focus on burn etiology, patient demographics, affected body area, total body surface area (TBSA), first aid, location, and management strategies.

Main Results:

• Pediatric burns remain concentrated in toddlers and preschoolers, with scalds and contact burns as primary causes.
• A rising trend in friction burns and a decline in flame burns and overall burn severity were observed.
• Management has increasingly favored ambulatory care, with reduced admission and operative intervention rates.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric burn patterns in NSW have evolved over the past decade, with changing injury mechanisms and reduced severity.
• The COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced burn patterns, necessitating further investigation.
• A significant shift towards ambulatory care for pediatric burns indicates evolving management practices.