Epidemiology of Burns in Infants: A Four-Year Retrospective Study

Yu, Ha Hyun; Choi, Youngwoong

Abstract

PURPOSE
Little information has been published regarding minor burn injuries in infants, most of which are preventable. To fill this research gap, this study explored the patterns and mechanisms of burn injuries in infants to ascertain whether such incidents can be prevented.
METHODS
This was a retrospective study, based on data collected prospectively from all infants (<12 months old) admitted to our hospital with burns in the four-year period between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018. A medical record review provided basic demographic information, such as age at the time of injury, sex, cause of injury, duration of treatment, operative treatment, and the extent and type of burn, as well as the anatomical region involved.
RESULTS
Fifty-seven infants were diagnosed with burn injuries, with scalding being the most common type (47%), followed by contact (32%) and steam (14%). Seven infants of eight steam burn patients injured by pressure cooker. Superficial second degree was the most common depth of injury (72%) followed by first degree (17%) and deep second degree (8%). Average age per injury type was calculated by independent T-test. Average ages of patients with contact and steam burns were significantly lower (7.06 months; P=0.19) and higher (9.25 months; P=0.005), respectively, than for other burn types.
CONCLUSION
Given that infants cannot control their body movements, talk, or manage by themselves, they are entirely dependent on the proper care of adults. Consequently, in addition to the prevention of burns, special care should be taken for the pressure cooker.