Epidemiology profile of burn victims under 5 years at the university Hospital San Jose, Popayan, Colombia, 2000-2010

Abstract

Background: Burn injuries in children are a growing public health problem both physical and psychological implications and socioeconomic. Objectives: To describe the epidemiological profile of burns in children under 5 years at the University Hospital of San José, Popayán, Colombia, 2000-2010. Methods: This study was retrospective descriptive of burn victims under 5 years admitted between 2000 and 2010 at the Burn Unit of University Hospital San José (UHSJ). The following variables were recorded and analyzed: age, gender, origin, social security, depth and extent of burn, days of hospitalization, causal agent and mortality. SPSS 19.0 was used. The level of significance was p <0.05. Results: In this period 337 children under 5 years entered to Burn Unit. 39.9% of all income. Male/female ratio was 1.4:1. The average age was 2.3 years. Most of patients were from rural areas (85.8%). Most people belonged to the Subsidized health Colombian system (90.2%). The most common causal agent was scalding liquids (80.1%). The most frequent depth was II-superficial degree (72.4%). The median hospital stay was 11 days and the average burned body surface was 14.2%. Conclusions: The findings of this study are the first to define the characteristics of children less than 5 years burned in Popayán. The most common causal agent was scalding liquids. This study is the base for identifying preventative measures in the local health care system.