Demographic features of pediatric patients with burn injuries referred to the emergency department of Sina hospital in Tabriz, Iran, in 2014

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic status of children with burn injuries who were referred to the emergency department of the Sina hospital in Tabriz, Iran, in 2014. Methods: Total of 220 pediatric patients with burn injuries, who referred to the emergency department of Sina hospital, were enrolled in this prospective descriptive study. Data such as age, gender, type of injury, location of injury, and severity of burns was collected, and analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results: Most patients were the first children of their families (61.8%). Two-year-old children had a higher incidence of burn injuries (33.2%). Most of the burns (94.5%) occurred at home. The most common cause of injury was hot liquids (74.5%). The position of the burn injuries in most patients was the upper extremities (47.3%) and second-degree burn severity was more frequent (70.5%). There were no significant statistical differences between the two genders regarding cause, severity, percentage, and anatomical area of the burn.Conclusion: It is necessary to design effective strategies to reduce the incidence of burn injuries in pediatric patients, so that steps can be taken to reduce burn injuries and their complications.

Keywords: Pediatrics, Emergency Departments, Burns, Epidemiology