Burn injury in infants and toddlers: Risk factors, circumstances, and prevention

Abstract

Aim: To study the risk factors and circumstances of burn injury in infants and toddlers. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on children visiting the plastic surgery department with acute burns or postburn deformities in the year 2016. The children who sustained burns up to an age of 3 years were included. An analysis of data for their age, sex, type of burn injury, involved body part, seasonal variation, place of occurrence, time of the day, presence of guardians at the time of injury, and socioeconomic status was performed. Results: A total of 44 children were included in the study. Thirty-one were males and 13 were females. The majority of children (77.3%) belonged to the toddler age group (1–3 years). Scald was the most common burn injury (54.5%). The majority of burns (68.2%) were sustained in winters. Burns were most frequent in domestic settings (90.9%). 64.1% were kitchen accidents. Hands were the most commonly affected anatomical site (54%). Ninety percent of the burnt children belonged to low socioeconomic strata. Conclusion: Pediatric burns were seen more commonly among toddlers. Scalds were the most common form of burns. Male gender, domestic environment, winter season, and low socioeconomic strata were found to have an increased frequency of burns. Hands were the most commonly affected site. Focused burn prevention strategies consistent with local circumstances should be implemented for the prevention and better management of pediatric burn injuries.