Burn injuries in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
OBJECTIVE
Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for traumatic injury than non-ADHD-children. Burn injuries in ADHD-children have not been studied. This study was conducted to determine differences in burn injuries between these groups.


METHODS
The charts of all children ages 5-18, admitted over a 7-year period to a single regional pediatric burn center, were reviewed. ADHD-children were compared to non-ADHD-children regarding age and gender, type and extent of burn, and burn injury outcome.


RESULTS
There were 278 children included, 35 (13%) having ADHD. ADHD-children were more likely male but did not differ in age compared to non-ADHD-children. ADHD-children were more likely to experience a thermal rather than flame burn (83% versus 58% thermal, P < 0.01) and had more extensive burn injury (10% versus 5% median TBSA, P = 0.03). The ADHD group had a longer length of stay (11 versus 7 days, P = 0.05) and was less likely to be discharged to home (86% versus 93%, P = 0.17).


CONCLUSIONS
ADHD-children do differ from non-ADHD-children in their pattern and extent of burn injury. The impulsivity and vigilance deficits that characterize ADHD may place these children at higher risk for specific types of burn injuries.
Mangus
R S
RS
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Emerson Hall, 545 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Bergman
D
D
Zieger
M
M
Coleman
J J
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications*; D002056:Burns / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors