Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2025
Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
Trends in Pediatric Electronic Device-Related Burns: An Investigation of 21,962 Cases
Justin J Cordero1, Andre-Philippe Sam1, Zachary J Collier2
1University of California Riverside, School of Medicine, Riverside, California.
Insights
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and COVID-19 pandemic correlated with fewer pediatric burns from electronics. However, children remain at high risk for hand and household appliance burns.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric burn epidemiology
- Consumer product safety
- Public health policy
Background:
- The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was enacted in 2008 to enhance child product safety.
- The COVID-19 pandemic prompted widespread stay-at-home orders, altering daily routines and potentially affecting injury patterns.
- Understanding pediatric burn trends is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in pediatric burns, specifically thermal and electrical injuries.
- To investigate the impact of the CPSIA on pediatric burn incidence.
- To assess the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and pediatric burn rates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database for data from 2002-2021.
- Analyzed pediatric burn data categorized by pre- and post-CPSIA enactment and pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic.
- Performed chi-squared analysis to determine statistical significance of observed trends.
Main Results:
- A total of 21,962 pediatric burns were identified, predominantly thermal (93.8%) and involving household appliances (34.2%).
- Post-CPSIA (after 2009), annual pediatric burns decreased from 1274.1 to 1003.3.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic (after 2020), annual burns decreased from 1133.5 to 779.5. Hand burns increased in proportion after CPSIA.
Conclusions:
- Both the CPSIA and the COVID-19 pandemic appear associated with a reduction in pediatric burns, particularly those linked to electronic devices.
- Pediatric patients continue to face significant risks for burns involving hands and household appliances.
- Healthcare providers must stay informed about evolving burn injury trends to better educate caregivers on risks and prevention.
Introduction:
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was passed in 2008 to establish safety standards and improve the quality of children's products. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to a "stay-at-home" quarantine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate trends of pediatric burns and analyze the relationship with the CPSIA and COVID-19.
Methods:
The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was used to identify thermal and electric pediatric burns from 2002 to 2021. To evaluate the association of the CPSIA and COVID-19, burns before and after the law was passed, and the pandemic, were analyzed. Sex, ethnicity, age, injured body part, product, and disposition were determined. Chi-squared analysis was performed.
Results:
A total of 21,962 burns met inclusion criteria, with 1409 electrical and 20,553 thermal burns. Majority of cases were male (58.3%) and involved household appliances (34.2%). For the CPSIA cohort, there was an average of 1274.1 burns per year before 2009, which decreased to 1003.3 burns per year after 2009. Before 2009, most burns affected the hand (44.5%), which increased after 2009 and remained the most-affected body part (48.1%, P < 0.001). For the COVID-19 cohort, there was an average of 1133.5 burns per year before 2020, which decreased to 779.5 burns per year after 2020.
Conclusions:
The CPSIA and COVID-19 pandemic may have led to a decreased incidence of pediatric burns from electronic devices. Pediatric populations are still at high risk for hand burns and household appliance burns. Providers should be aware of burn trends to inform guardians about the risks.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:30Current Trends in Nursing II
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Oral
Step 1:
Start by practicing proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Step 2:
Take the thermometer out of the charging unit, switch it on, and wait for the ready sign.
Step 3:
Gently slide the probe cover until a click is heard. This simple action prevents cross-contamination and ensures the correct placement of the probe cover.
Step 4:
Instruct the patient to open their mouth and place...