BURNS IN CHILDREN: HOW TO KEEP THEM SAFE
Burn injuries have continued to be a common preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the world with children representing a large proportion. Low-and-middle income countries are particularly highly affected. These injuries are the fifth most common non-fatal childhood injuries and commonly occur in the home environment.
Causes & Complications
Among the causative factors are hot liquids, fire, chemicals, electrical shocks and hot coals. Some acute complications include malnutrition, immunosuppression, tissue damage and multi organ dysfunction. The post burn sequelae can be devastating with life-long complications such as physical illness, disfigurement, disability, substance abuse and psychological trauma. It is therefore imperative to increase safety awareness and prevention strategies in the home and public. The following are some examples;
- Keep the home childproof by ensuring electrical appliances, hot liquids and food are out of children’s reach.
- Educate children on hazards, such as lighters, braziers, heaters, fireworks, electric outlets and cords.
- Close supervision of children if near braziers, hot water, candles, heaters.
- Avoid leaving children in the kitchen, bathroom unattended.
- Keep children’s play areas away from the kitchen
- Proper standards of housing.
What To Do When Your Child Is Burnt
Remove jewellery or clothing in contact with burnt source, and cool affected area as soon as possible (within 3 hours from time of burn) for 20 minutes with cool running water. To prevent hypothermia in the burnt child, remove wet clothes/dressings after initial cooling, Cover the wound and the child after assessment – but try to keep child otherwise warm.
Conclusion
Pediatric burns are a common cause of disability and mortality. These injuries are preventable. There is need for increased awareness on prevention in the home environment especially.
References
https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/burns/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9188101/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468912219300410
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35928690/
