Epidemiology of pediatric burn injuries in southern Turkey.
The aim of this study was to identify the epidemiological features of pediatric burn injuries in southern part of Turkey. In this retrospective study, 137 hospitalized pediatric patients (85 men and 52 women) who were admitted to our burn unit during a period of 3 years were analyzed. Pediatric patients were categorized into three groups: the infants and toddlers (0-2 years), early childhood (3-6 years), and late childhood (7-15 years). Epidemiological data included age, sex, location, the cause and type, and place of burn. In the first two groups, scalding (95.1% and 86.7%, respectively) was the predominant cause of burn whereas in late childhood electric burns (51.4%) were a more common occurrence. No differences were found between the groups with respect to mean TBSA and full-thickness burns. A total of 15 (10.1%) patients died during the study period. A total of 74.4% of burn injuries occurred at home, and almost all were preventable, with 16 % of the burns occurring in the autumn; however, 42% occurred in the summer. These findings will be used as a basis for developing targeted preventive programs to protect children from burns. We also consider it is necessary to educate children and their parents about the prevention of burn injuries.
Tarim
Akin
A
Department of General Surgery, Baskent University, Faculty of Medicine, Adana Teaching and Research Center, 01250 Yuregir, Adana, Turkey.
Nursal
Tarik Zafer
TZ
Yildirim
Sedat
S
Noyan
Turgut
T
Moray
Gökhan
G
Haberal
Mehmet
M
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002053:Burn Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents