Burn injuries in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Purpose: Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for traumatic injury than non-ADHD-children. Burn injuries in ADHD-children have not been studied. This study was conducted to determine differences in burn injuries between these groups. Methods: The charts of all children ages 5–18, admitted over a 7-year period to a single regional pediatric burn center, were reviewed. ADHD-children were compared to non-ADHD-children regarding age and gender, type and extent of burn, and burn injury outcome. Findings: There were 278 children included, 35 (13%) having ADHD. ADHD-children were more likely male but did not differ in age compared to non-ADHD-children. ADHD-children were more likely to experience a thermal rather than flame burn (83% versus 58% thermal, P<0.01) and had more extensive burn injury (10% versus 5% median TBSA, P=0.03). The ADHD group had a longer length of stay (11 versus 7 days, P=0.05) and was less likely to be discharged to home (86% versus 93%, P=0.17). Conclusions: ADHD-children do differ from non-ADHD-children in their pattern and extent of burn injury. The impulsivity and vigilance deficits that characterize ADHD may place these children at higher risk for specific types of burn injuries.