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Published on: November 6, 2018
Burn Injury in Children: A Single-center Analysis of 100 Patients in Japan
Itsuki Takei1, Takamichi Ito1, Maho Murata1
1Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Insights
Preventing childhood burns is crucial. This study found over 90% of pediatric burns resulted from hot liquids, emphasizing parent education to avoid scald injuries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric burn research
- Injury prevention
- Public health
Background:
- Burns are a significant cause of injury in children.
- Preventing burn injuries, especially scalds, is a public health priority.
- Understanding pediatric burn epidemiology is vital for targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the causes, severity, treatments, and outcomes of pediatric burns.
- To identify trends in pediatric burn injuries over an 18-year period.
- To inform prevention efforts by understanding common burn mechanisms in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 100 pediatric burn patients treated at Kyushu University Hospital (2004-2021).
- Data collected included patient demographics, burn cause, site, severity, treatment, and hospitalization duration.
- Statistical analysis of burn characteristics and outcomes.
Main Results:
- The majority of patients (90%) were 6 years old or younger, with a mean age of 2.4 years.
- Scalding accounted for 93% of burns, primarily from hot water (49.5%) and kettles (24.7%).
- Mean total body surface area affected was 12.7%, with all burns being second or third degree; 39 patients developed hypertrophic scars.
Conclusions:
- Hot liquid scalds are the predominant cause of pediatric burns, necessitating focused parental education and safety measures.
- Most pediatric scald burns are preventable through increased awareness and caution.
- Effective prevention requires community-wide educational initiatives targeting caregivers to reduce the incidence of childhood burns.
Abstract:
Burn, a common injury in daily life, is a potential risk factor for severe sequelae in people, particularly children. Preventing unexpected burn injuries is of the utmost importance. This study examined the current status of pediatric burns in our institute. One hundred children who received intensive therapy in Kyushu University Hospital were analyzed regarding the causes, sites, severity, treatments, and outcomes of burns between 2004 and 2021. The mean patient age was 2.4 years (range: 0-15), and 90% of patients were 6 years old or younger. The mean percent total body surface area was 12.7%. All patients had second- or third-degree burns. The most common cause was scalding (93%), and among them, hot water burns, and kettle burns were predominant in 49.5% and 24.7% of children, respectively. The seasonal fluctuations of occurrence were not remarkable. Basic fibroblast growth factor spray with wet dressing was used, but hypertrophic scars arose in 39 patients. The mean duration of hospitalization was 18.9 ± 18.2 days. This study revealed that more than 90% of pediatric burns were caused by hot liquids, thereby highlighting the importance of educational activities for parents to prevent and reduce pediatric burns because most scalding burns can be avoided with caution.
