Epidemiology of paediatric burn injuries in Hamadan, Iran

Burn injuries are prevalent worldwide, especially in developing countries; and they are significant paediatric injuries in Iran. This study was performed to analyse the epidemiology and aetiology of paediatric burns in Hamadan province in the west part of Iran from March 2004 to March 2007. The incidence rate of child hospitalisation for burns was 33.4 per 100000 person-years. The median age was 3 years with 69% of the patients under 4 years. The male-to-female ratio of incidence rate for all age groups was 1.52. Scald was the leading cause in almost all age groups and caused 266 (71.7%) burns. Correlation analysis showed that younger children are more vulnerable to scald injury. The mean body surface area (BSA) of burns was 16.36 (SD=11.42) in all cases. Flame was more fatal than other causes of burns. The total fatality rate in this study was 3.5%. Epidemiological findings reveal that scald, age, gender and residence in rural area are the major issues that should be discussed in considering childhood burns. Prevention efforts should focus on the reduction of scald injuries during food preparation or hot liquid spillage. These efforts should target rural infants, toddlers and boys.