Characteristics of burns in children – results of a Polish multicentre study

Aim of the study
To characterise burns in Polish children according to sex, age group, and depth of burn.

Material and methods
The anonymous survey included 200 children under 18 years old hospitalised due to burns in five Polish hospitals. The location of burn was characterised in detail and also in agreement with ICD-10 classification. The surface of burned skin (% TBSA) was counted with use of Lund-Bowder chart for children under 16 years old and with the rule of nines for children over 16 years old. Depth of burn was assessed clinically. The study was accepted by the Bioethical Committee of Wroclaw Medical University. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using Excel and Statistica v. 12.

Results
60% of the burned children were boys (120) and in 40% were girls (80). Children under one year old comprised 50.5% of all participants of the study. Among participants of the study thermal burns comprised 93.0%, chemical burns – 4.5%, and electrical burns – 2.5% of all cases. Boys underwent chemical (5.0% vs. 3.8%) and electrical (3.3% vs. 1.3%) burns more than girls (p > 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the type of burn in different age groups. In 84.5% the thermal burns were caused by hot liquid, in 3.7% by a hot object, and in 4.3% by flame. Most commonly burns affected the trunk (57%) and upper extremity (50%). The average burn surface area was 8.26 ±7.87% TBSA. Most burns did not extend to the full depth of the skin (I degree – 3%, II degree – 61.5%).

Conclusions
Prevention programs should be aimed at minimising the risk of burns in the group at highest risk – children under one year old.