546 Management of Pediatric Pavement Burns

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Pavement burns are common in a dry high heat climate. This study reviews the etiology, management and outcome of pavement burns in children. Methods All patients age < 18 who suffered contact burns from hot pavement from Jan 1, 2014 to Dec 31, 2019 were reviewed. A total of 45 patient charts met inclusion criteria. High ambient temperature on each date, and zip code of each injury was extracted from Weather Underground (www.wunderground.com) Results In this study, 45 patients met criteria and were reviewed, of whom 27 patients (60%) were male. Average age was 3.29 years (SD 0.69), made up two discrete age groups: age under 3 (n= 40, 89%) and 14+ (n=5, 11%). 38 patients (84%) had no known medical history. All had 2nd degree burns and one patient (2%) had third degree burns. Mean total body surface area (TBSA) was 2.5% (SD 1.4%, range 0.75% to 5.5%). Burn etiology included 31 patients (69%) walking barefoot on pavement, 6 (13%) falling onto pavement, and other/unknown etiology for the remaining 8 patients (18%). 30 patients (67%) had injuries on the plantar aspect of bilateral feet, 2 (4%) to bilateral palms of hands, 4 (9%) to other parts of upper extremities and 10 (22%) to other parts of lower extremities. Thirty-four (34) patients (76%) were managed without any hospitalization. Those that were hospitalized had an average length of stay (LOS) of 2.72 days (range 1–9 days). All burns were managed non-operatively with topical therapy alone. 35 patients (78%) were managed initially with Silvadene, and 6 (13%) with bacitracin. Aquacel was utilized in 10 patients at a follow-up visit (22%). Three patients (6.7%) were treated with collagenase enzyme therapy. One patient developed a superficial infection requiring oral antibiotic therapy. There were no mortalities in this group. The high ambient temperature on date and location of each injury was 101 F (SD 1.10 F, range 73F-111F). Of the thirty that continued to follow up in clinic, the average time to the burn being 95% healed was 10.50 days (SD 8.97 days, range 2–40 days). Conclusions Pavement burns in children are partial thickness and are safely managed with topical therapy alone, with good outcomes. Patients age 3 and under are a vulnerable population and therefore at particular risk of injury.