Treatment algorithm in 960 pediatric burn cases: A review of etiology and epidemiology

OBJECTIVE: Burn injuries are one of the most significant threats to life in both undeveloped and developing countries. In this study, we evaluate the demographic characteristics and treatment methods in pediatric burn cases admitted to our clinic. METHODS: A total of 960 patients aged 0–16 years old who were referred to our center with burn injuries between 2015 and 2016 were analyzed in terms of sex, age, etiology, epidemiology, burn percentage, the degree of burn, hospitalization duration, morbidity-mortality, and treatment methods. RESULTS: In the present study, 512 male and 448 female patients were included. Burns were seen mostly among the patients aged 2–4, and the majority of them were extremity burns. The mean hospitalization duration was 10±6.7 days, and the most common source of burn injury was from hot liquids. CONCLUSION: Burn injuries are a pediatric emergency that needs to be emphasized to reduce occurrences due to the long hospitalization period, the unfavorable mortality and morbidity rates, and increased treatment costs. It is possible to obtain more positive results by way of a standard and easily applicable treatment algorithm in cases of burn injury.