Citation

Laitakari E, Koljonen V, Rintala R, Pyörälä S, Gissler M. J. Pediatr. Surg. 2015; 50(4): 608-612.

Affiliation

National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland; Nordic School of Public Health, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2014.05.034

PMID

25840072

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to study the incidence, mechanisms, treatment, and risk factors of burn injuries in infants younger than 1year.

METHODS: Data on burn-injured infants during 1990-2011 in Finland came from the National Hospital Discharge Register (NHDR). Information on birth and maternal-related factors came from the Finnish Medical Birth Register, and data on fatal injuries from the Cause of Death Register of Finland.

RESULTS: This study included 1842 children, female to male 1:1.5. The annual overall incidence of inhospital and outpatient admissions increased during the study period (p<0.05). Major risk factors were male gender, parity, and the mother's socioeconomic status and young age. The most common causes were scalds and contact burns. Severity of the injury increased along with increasing age, and children aged 9-12months had the highest prevalence of surgical treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Burn injury incidence in children under 1year has increased during recent decades in Finland. First-born 9- to 12-month-old boys of young mothers of low socioeconomic status are at higher risk of burn injuries. Preventative work needs strengthening to reduce infant burn injuries.

Language: en