Hot iron burns in children
Introduction
The Stuart Pegg Paediatric Burns Centre has observed a number of children admitted with thermal burns as a result of contact with a hot iron. Causes of contact burns are well documented, but relatively little has been written specifically on iron burns. However, in 1994 a study was published from this centre looking specifically at iron burns in children over a 3 years period from 1987 to 1991 [1].
One of the primary aims of the unit is to raise public awareness, concerning burns prevention, thus, reducing the number and severity of iron burns. The objective was to document and describe iron burns in children 10 years later and compare results with the previous paper to determine whether or not appropriate measures have been installed in an effort to prevent iron burns. Preventative measures that have been undertaken since the previous review are interviews by medical staff on radio, stressing the importance of the positioning of hot irons to minimise the risk of burns to children. Also, a child safety education centre on campus of the Royal Children’s Hospital, called Kidsafe House, has a pictorial display about the preventative measures for injuries from irons. Kidsafe House is visited by the public and perform tours for school children and tertiary education groups.
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Methods
The Stuart Pegg Paediatric Burns Centre, which is based at Brisbane’s Royal Children’s Hospital, is the only tertiary referral unit for the treatment of paediatric burns in Queensland. Approximately 250 children are admitted to the Burns Centre per year, with inpatient and outpatient care being provided not only throughout the state, but also for children from northern New South Wales, Papua New Guinea and the regional Pacific.
Data was collected prospectively from all patients over a 4 years
Results
Fifty children with thermal burns resulting from contact with hot irons were identified during the study period. This represents approximately 5% of total admissions to the centre per year. The frequency of iron burns did not change throughout, nor was there any seasonal variation. The children were aged between 7 months and 8 years with a median age of 17 months (Fig. 1). The majority of burns (80%) occurred in children under 2 years of age. The male to female ratio was 1.9:1 with no
Discussion
To the best of our knowledge this is the largest iron burn study in a paediatric population in the world. Throughout the discussion comparisons will be made with the study conducted by Hollyoak et al. [1] at this centre a decade previously (1988–1991). There has been little change in the number of children presenting to the Stuart Pegg Burns Centre in the past 10 years with hot irons burns. Thirty-eight children (1988–1991), presented with iron burns compared to 50 children (1997–2001). The
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Dr. Deborah M. Bailey, Dr. Kelvin Choo, Associate Professor J. Fred Leditschke, Professor Stuart Pegg, and Dr. Rosslyn M. Walker for allowing us to include their patients in this study. To Rosemary Kolb for her secretarial help and to the entire Burns Unit team for their skills and dedication in the care of the children.
References (3)
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Roberts AHN domestic iron burns in children: a cause for concern
Burns
(1994)
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