Patterns of burns and scalds in children.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the characteristics of childhood burns and scalds, mechanisms and agents to inform prevention.


METHODS
Prospective multicentred cross-sectional study of children (<16 years) with unintentional burns/scalds from five Emergency Departments (ED), a burns assessment unit and three regional children's Burns Units.


METHODS
site, severity, distribution of the burn/scald, age, motor development of the child, agent and mechanism of the injury. Comparative analysis for children <5 and 5-16 years.


RESULTS
Of 1215 children, 58% (709) had scalds, 32% (390) contact burns and 116 burns from other causes, 17.6% (214/1215) were admitted to hospital and the remaining treated in ED or burns assessment centre. 72% (878) were <5 years, peak prevalence in 1-year-olds. Commonest scald agent (<5 years) was a cup/mug of hot beverage 55% (305/554), and commonest mechanism was a pull-down injury 48% (66/554). In 5-16-year-olds, scalds were from hot water 50% (78/155) and spill injuries 76% (118/155). Scalds affected the front of the body in 96% (680/709): predominantly to the face, arms and upper trunk in <5-year-olds, older children had scalds to the lower trunk, legs and hands. Contact burns (<5 years) were from touching 81% (224/277) hot items in the home, predominant agents: hair straighteners or irons 42% (117/277), oven hobs 27% (76/277), 5-16-year-olds sustained more outdoor injuries 46% (52/113). 67% (262/390) of all contact burns affected the hands.


CONCLUSIONS
Scalds to infants and toddlers who pull hot beverages over themselves or sustain burns from touching irons, hair straighteners or oven hobs are a high priority for targeted prevention.
Early Years Research Programme, Institute of Primary Care and Public Health, Cardiff University, , Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
A M
AM
Kemp
S
S
Jones
Z
Z
Lawson
S A
SA
Maguire
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002053:Burn Units; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
Accident & Emergency; Adolescent Health; Epidemiology; Injury Prevention