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The economic effect of child abuse in the burn unit
M Evasovich1, R Klein, F Muakkassa
1Akron General Medical Center, Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine, 44307, USA.
Insights
Child abuse via burn injuries incurs significant healthcare costs, with 104 children treated costing over $1.2 million. This preventable financial burden highlights the need for increased awareness and further research into child abuse prevention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Forensic Medicine
Background:
- Child abuse resulting in burn injuries places a substantial, yet unquantified, financial burden on society.
- Understanding the economic impact is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively evaluate the economic impact and demographics of child abuse via burn injury.
- To analyze patient and family financial burdens associated with burn injuries from child abuse.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric patients treated for burn injuries due to abuse at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron (CHMCA).
- Inclusion criteria: children evaluated for suspected child abuse over a 5-year period from four counties.
- Data collected included demographics, length of stay, and healthcare costs.
Main Results:
- 104 children (mean age 3.76 years; 55% female, 45% male) were included.
- 71% of patients were from single-mother households.
- Total healthcare costs approximated $1.2 million over 5 years, with 65% government-funded. Additional costs included court and jail expenses borne by Summit County.
Conclusions:
- Child abuse leading to burn injuries imposes a significant and preventable financial burden on healthcare systems and counties.
- The study underscores the need for increased awareness regarding the demographics and economic consequences of child abuse.
- Further research is recommended to explore the long-term socioeconomic and psychological impacts on victims, which are currently incalculable.
Abstract:
The financial burden imposed on society by abusing children through burn injury is unknown. This study retrospectively evaluates the economic impact and demographics of such abuse on patients and their families treated at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron (CHMCA) from four counties over a 5 year period. The inclusive group consisted of all children evaluated during the stated period referred to Social Services for possible child abuse. There were 104 children (55 females and 49 males, 46% black and 56% white) with a mean age of 3.76 years. 71% of the patients came from single parent homes (all single mothers). There were a total of 58 admissions with a mean length of stay of 10.53 days. Total cost for all patients was approximately 1.2 million dollars for health care, of which 65% was government funded. In addition to hospital costs, the perpetrators incurred court costs and jail costs, all of which were the financial responsibility of Summit County. Child abuse through burns imposes a potentially preventable financial burden. This study does not take into account the socioeconomic and psychological impact on the abused victims through life, which is incalculable. By increasing awareness about the demographics and financial burden of child abuse, this paper may serve as a focus for further study and prevention of such abuse.