Pediatric major burns: a monocentric retrospective review of etiology and outcomes (2008–2020)

Abstract

Background: Burns are one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity among children. This study aims to assess the epidemiology of pediatric major burns in a third level hospital in Spain to evaluate demographics, etiology, and outcomes. Methods: A retrospective study was held by the Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery department of the hospital. We included 147 patients under 18 admitted to hospital between January 2008 and December 2020 who meet the inclusion criteria: partial thickness burns > 10% total body surface area (TBSA) in patients < 18 years old. Clinical data extracted included age, gender, date of admission, %TBSA, burn types, severity and sites of burn, length of stay, length of ventilator support, intensive care admission, blood transfusion, surgical interventions, and complications. Results: Three groups of age were analyzed. The average %TBSA was 18.7 (SE 0.9). Scalds were the main mechanism of injury (70.1%) and upper extremity was the most frequent location affected (68%). The 28.6% of patients suffered some complication, but the mortality rate was low (0.7%). In our series, the group aged 13–18 showed significantly higher %TBSA, more number of surgeries and blood transfusions. Conclusions: Scald burns are the most frequent mechanism of injury in pediatric burns. However, teenagers suffer more severe burns and complications, usually caused by flame. Despite the low mortality rates, more measures of prevention should be taken to increase children security. Level of evidence: Level IV, Risk/Prognostic.