Agents, mechanisms and clinical features of non-scald burns in children: A prospective UK study. Issue 6 (September 2017) - Johnson, E.L.
Highlights: The key prevention messages for non-scald burns are not well known. Non-scald burns accounted for 50.5% of childhood burns, of whom 60.8% are male and 51.1% aged <3 years. The most common type of burn was contact burns (90.1%, 472/524). Hairstyling devices were the most common agent of contact burns (20.5%, 100/487). 34.1% (30/88) of hairstyling devices were on the floor at the time of injury. Abstract: Aims: To inform childhood burn prevention by identifying demographics, clinical features and circumstances of unintentional non-scald burns. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted across Cardiff, Bristol and Manchester, including six emergency departments, three minor injury units and one burns unit between 13/01/2013–01/10/2015. Data collected for children aged <16 years with any burn (scald, contact, flame, radiation, chemical, electrical, friction) included: demographics, circumstances of injury and clinical features. Scalds and burns due to maltreatment were excluded from current analysis. Results: Of 564 non-scald cases, 60.8% were boys, 51.1% were <3 years old, 90.1% (472/524) of burns affected one anatomical site. Contact burns accounted for 86.7% (489/564), 34.8% (137/394) of which were from objects placed at >0.6 m and 76.5% (349/456) affected the hands. Hairstyling devices were the most common agent of contact burns (20.5%, 100/487); 34.1% (30/88) of hairstyling devices were on the floor. Of children aged 10–15 years, 63.7% (65/102), sustained contact burns of which 23.2% (13/56) were preparing food, and when burnt from hairstyling devices, 73.3% (11/15) were using them at the time of injury. Conclusions: Parents of toddlers must learn safe storage of hazardous items. Older children should be taught skills in safe cooking and hairstyling device use.