Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

02:49
A Swine Burn Model for Investigating the Healing Process in Multiple Depth Burn Wounds
Published on: February 23, 2024
Family Income and Recovery Outcomes in Pediatric Burn Survivors: A Burn Model System National Database Study
Sarah Wang1, Trevor A Pickering2, Shelley Wiechman3
1Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
Summary
Family income did not significantly impact pediatric burn survivors' return to school or psychosocial outcomes. This suggests factors beyond socioeconomic status, like social support, are crucial for recovery in pediatric burn patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric burn care
- Socioeconomic factors in health
- Psychosocial outcomes in children
Background:
- Children from lower income families experience disproportionately higher burn injury rates.
- These children may face greater psychosocial challenges post-injury.
- Understanding the impact of family income on recovery is critical for effective pediatric burn care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between family income and functional recovery in pediatric burn patients.
- To assess whether socioeconomic status influences return to school and psychosocial outcomes 12 months post-burn.
- To identify factors affecting recovery trajectories in pediatric burn survivors across different income levels.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of a multi-center longitudinal database (2015-2024) of pediatric burn patients (<18 years).
- Patients categorized into three income cohorts: <$50k, $50k-$100k, and >$100k.
- Collected data on return to school, psychosocial outcomes (PROMIS scales, Post-Traumatic Growth, Body Image, Pain Intensity), and injury severity (%TBSA, inhalation injury).
Main Results:
- Children with family income <$50k had significantly higher %TBSA burned and a greater incidence of inhalation injury.
- No significant differences were found in return to school or any measured psychosocial outcomes at 12 months post-injury, after adjusting for %TBSA burned.
- The study included 204 pediatric burn survivors across income groups.
Conclusions:
- Lower family income did not impede functional recovery or psychosocial outcomes in pediatric burn survivors.
- Factors other than socioeconomic status, such as social support, may play a more significant role in recovery.
- Addressing systemic inequalities is necessary to reduce the disproportionate burden of burn injuries in lower-income children.
Related Concept Videos
Burn Injuries
Burn injuries occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged due to exposure to heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. They can vary in severity, from minor superficial burns to severe deep burns that can be life-threatening.
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...
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...
Classification of Illness
The meaning of illness is individualized to each person who experiences an alteration in health. In contrast, disease is a medical term indicating a pathological change in the structure and function of the body or mind. It is a condition that has specific symptoms and boundaries.
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe and...
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe and...