Citation

Baldursdottir L, Thorsteinsson LS, Audolfsson G, Baldursdottir ME, Sigurvinsdottir BO, Gisladottir V, Sigurdardottir AO, Rosmundsson T. Laeknabladid 2010; 96(11): 683-689.

Vernacular Title

Brunaslys barna: innlagnir a Landspitala 2000-2008.

Affiliation

Correspondence: Lovisa Baldursdottir lovisaba@landspitali.is

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Icelandic Medical Association and the Medical Society of Reykjavik)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

21081791

Abstract

Background: Causes of burn injuries in children are universally associated with social and environmental factors. Epidemiological studies are therefore important in identifying risk factors and for planning preventive interventions. Methods: Children younger than 18 years with skin burns who were treated as inpatients at Landspitali University Hospital over a 9-year period, 2000 and 2008, were included in this retrospective descriptive study. Data was collected from medical records. Results: Of 149 children included in the study 41.6% were four years old or younger. The average annual incidence of hospital admissions was 21/100 000. Cold water as first aid was applied in 78% of cases. Half of the accidents occurred in the home where a close family member was the caretaker. Risk factors were identified in 11.4% of the accidents and abuse or neglect was suspected in 3.4% of cases. Scalds were the most common type of burn injury (50.3%) followed by burns caused by fire (20.4%) including gas or petrol (14.9%) and fireworks (17.6%). The most common source of scalds was exposure to hot water from hot water mains (12,9%) and heated water (12,9%). The mean time from emergency room admission to the paediatric ward was two hours and 22 minutes. The mean length of stay was 13 days; median 9 days (range 1-97). Conclusion: Incidence of hospital admissions for burn injury has decreased when compared with earlier Icelandic studies. Children four years and younger and boys between 13-16 years old are most at risk for burn injuries. Stronger preventive measures as well as better documentation of burn accidents are imperative. Key words: burns, children, scalds, prevention, epidemiology.

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