Background: Causes of burn injuries in children are universally associated with social and environmental factors. Epidemiological studies are therefore important in identifying risk factors and for planning preventive interventions.

Methods: Children younger than 18 years with skin burns who were treated as inpatients at Landspitali University Hospital over a 9-year period, 2000 and 2008, were included in this retrospective descriptive study.  Data was collected from medical records.

Results: Of 149 children included in the study 41.6% were four years old or younger. The average annual incidence of hospital admissions was 21/100 000. Cold water as first aid was applied in 78% of cases. Half of the accidents occurred in the home where a close family member was the caretaker. Risk factors were identified in 11.4% of the accidents and abuse or neglect was suspected in 3.4% of cases. Scalds were the most common type of burn injury (50.3%) followed by burns caused by fire (20.4%) including gas or petrol (14.9%) and fireworks (17.6%). The most common source of scalds was exposure to hot water from hot water mains  (12,9%) and heated water (12,9%). The mean time from emergency room admission to the paediatric ward was two hours and 22 minutes. The mean length of stay was 13 days; median 9 days (range 1-97). 

Conclusion: Incidence of hospital admissions for burn injury has decreased when compared with earlier Icelandic studies. Children four years and younger and boys between 13-16 years old are most at risk for burn injuries. Stronger preventive measures as well as better documentation of burn accidents are imperative.  

Fig 1. Burn injuries in children; Annual hospital admissions at Landspitali University Hospital 2000-2008 (N=149).

Fig 2.Burn injuries in children; Age and sex distribution among 0-18 years old at Landspitali University Hospital 2000-2008 (N =149).

Fig 3. Burn injuries in children; Age distribution among 0-2 years old at Landspitali University Hospital 2000-2008 (n=32).

Fig 4. Variation of burn injuries in children admitted at Landspitali University Hospital 2000-2008 according too weekdays (N =149).

Fig 5. Causes of burn injuries in children admitted at Landspitali University Hospital 2000-2008 (n=147).

Fig 6. Causes of scalds in 74 children admitted at Landspitali University Hospital 2000-2008 (n=147).

Table I.  Icelandic studies of burn accidents in children.^11-13