285 Pediatric Burns at a Reference Burn Unit of a Middle Income Country

Abstract Introduction Characteristics of the event causing burn injuries in the pediatric population in middle and low income countries may differ from the ones at high income countries. Despite of some economic growth, poverty and low education is still high and predisposes to burn injuries in children. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of pediatric burn injuries admitted to one of the only two children’s burn units available in Peru. Methods Retrospective review of the BU’s records of patients from 0 to 18 years old admitted to the new children’s BU in Lima, Peru, during its first 4 years of work. Clinical and demographic information was collected and analyzed. Results Between September 2013 and August 2017, 848 patients were admitted to the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño San Borja (INSNSB) Burn Unit (BU). Male/female ratio was 1.0. Fifty five percent of patients were from Lima, the capital, and 46.4 % were referred from the other 25 regions of the country. Eighty five percent of patients were younger than 9 years old, being the 1 to 4 years old the largest group (60%). Seventy three percent of burns were caused by hot liquids, 56% of them by spilling, and 46% by immersion (patients falling in big pots containing hot liquids that were left on the floor by parents or guardians). Thirty six percent of families live in homes with one single/multipurpose room, so it is easy that this accidents happen. House fires and children playing with gas and matches caused 22% of the remaining cases. Twenty seven percent of burns compromised more than 20% of TBSA (big extension burns), and 34% compromised between 10% and 20% of TBSA. Conclusions In Peru, a middle income country with a growing economy, pediatric scalds are caused by 100% preventable mechanisms (spilling and immersion). Education and reduction of poverty policies are essential, but strong and very straightforward campaigns are imperative to change behaviors among parents and guardians. Applicability of Research to Practice This study will help to motivate the establishment of prevention programs and the development of a National Burn Registry for a country that is putting big efforts to improve education and decrease the levels of poverty, so no child has to go trough the trauma of a burn injury.