Evaluation of the frequency of childhood hospitalization due to thermal injuries in the Provincial Polyclinical Hospital in Toruń, Poland, 2007-2011.

INTRODUCTION: Burns constitute the most common and severe injuries suffered in childhood.

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed at providing a retrospective analysis of the etiology, location, extent and depth of burns, as well as treatment methods and length of hospital stay.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 508 cases of children treated due to a thermal injury between 1 January 2007 31 December 2011 was conducted at the Department of Paediatrics, Urology and Paediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, L. Rydygier Provincial Hospital in Toruń, Poland.

RESULTS: The sample group included more boys (58.9%) than girls (41.1%). The most numerous group comprised children aged 1-2 years (44.5%). Burns were largely suffered at home (91.9%). Injuries were largely caused by thermal burns (99.2%). Half of the children sustained injury to one body area (51.4%), while every third sufferer (37.9%) was affected by burns to body parts prone to trigger shock. Burns up to 5% of the Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) were suffered by half (51.2%) of the children. Most of the patients underwent conservative treatment (89.4%).

CONCLUSIONS: Burns were mostly suffered by children at 1-2 years of age, with boys prevailing over girls. Injuries were largely suffered at the child's family home, in the afternoon or evening, while the child was in the care of the parents. Scalds, caused by hot liquid, constituted the most frequent type of injury. The most numerous group of affected children comprised burns to limb areas, and thorax with limbs, with the TBSA of up to 5%. The great majority of the patients underwent conservative treatment, with a hospitalization period of up to 3 days.