Citation

Hardwicke J, Bechar J, Bella H, Moiemen N. Burns 2013; 39(8): 1626-1630.

Affiliation

Birmingham Institute for Paediatic Plastic Surgery (BIPPS), Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK; West Midlands Regional Burns Centre, University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, New Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK; University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. Electronic address: hardwickej@doctors.org.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.burns.2013.04.005

PMID

23768715

Abstract

Exposure to chemicals is an unusual causation of cutaneous burns in children. The aim of this study is to look at childhood chemical burns and compare this to adult chemical burns from the same population. A total of 2054 patients were referred to the pediatric burns unit during the study period. This included 24 cutaneous chemical burns, equating to an incidence of 1.1%. Over half of the injuries occurred in the domestic setting. The mean total body surface area (TBSA) affected was 1.9%. When compared to a cohort of adult patients from the same population with cutaneous chemical burns, the TBSA affected was identical (1.9%) but distribution favored the buttock and perineum in children, rather than the distal lower limb in adults. Children presented earlier, had lower rates of surgical intervention and had a shorter length of stay in hospital (p<0.001). Children also had a lower rate of appropriate first aid treatment. Chemical burns in children are rare, but are becoming more common in our region. It is important to be aware of the characteristic distribution, etiology and need to identify children at risk of child protection issues.

Language: en