J Korean Burn Soc.  2011 Dec;14(2):97-100.

Epidemiology in Preschooler Burn Injuries in a Single Burn Unit Hospital for 3 Years

• Kim SK
• Son YH
• Park JM
• Jang YH
• Lee MY

Abstract

PURPOSE
Burns are an important cause of injury to young children. The aim of this study was to investigate epidemiology in preschooler's burns.
METHODS
A retrospective study was reviewed age, sex, burn surface area, and burn type in preschool children underwent burn surgery. Children were classified into three age groups: infant group (<1 years), toddler group (1~3 years), and early childhood group (4~7 years).
RESULTS
Over the 3 year period a total of 2041 burned preschoolers received burn surgery. The mean age was 2.3+/-1.7 years old. Boys accounted for 55.4% of the cases. Scalding was the most common cause (56.8%), followed by contact (31.7%). Averaged burn size was 2.6+/-4.2%. Toddler group was most affected by burns (60.1%). The incidences of severe burns (> or =10% of the body surface area) in groups of infant, toddler, and early childhood were 7.9%, 5.6%, and 4.7%, and the mean burn size were 18.7+/-1.7% (P=0.003 vs. toddler group), 13.7+/-0.4%, and 17.7+/-2.7%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The major etiology in preschool children' burns was scalding. Toddler was most affected age group. In severe burns, infant group showed larger burn size than toddler group.

Keyword

Burn; Child; Epidemiology

MeSH Terms

Burn Units
Burns
Child
Child, Preschool
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Retrospective Studies