Burns and scalds in children of the Western Pomerania region in the 1980s and today

Beata Brodzińska

Abstract


Introduction: Burns in children are among the most severe injuries, requiring fast, multidisciplinary treatment.

The aim of the study was to compare the epidemiology, aetiology and severity of burns, methods and results of treatment, and to characterise trends in the care of children from the region of Western Pomerania in Poland hospitalized because of burns.

Materials and methods: The medical records of 1,230 patients were analyzed. They were divided into two groups: 710 children treated in 1985–1988 (4 years) and 520 children treated in 2006–2010 (5 years). The analysis included demographic data, aetiology, the type of first aid provided, clinical evaluation of the scalded surface, and the method of treatment.

Results: In both groups the body burns most often occurred in the group of children between 1–2 years of age, always twice as 

often in boys. The cause of body burns was mostly hot fluid, both in the 1980s and today. The average length of hospitalization of children with severe burns was 31 days in the 1980s vs. 14 days today. Formerly conservative treatment was preferred, while today surgical treatment is implemented faster and more often.

Conclusion: In Western Pomerania the incidence of hospitalization of children with burns decreased twofold. The most commonly treated children are aged 1–2 years, boys – twice as often; a high percentage of them are infants. The most common cause of burns in infants and young children remains hot fluid, and in the group of older children flames as well. In relation to the 1980s, the current treatment methods result in a shorter hospital stay. 


Keywords


burn; child; hot fluid; skin graft

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.21164/pomjlifesci.258

Copyright (c) 2017 Beata Brodzińska

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