Abstract
Introduction
Thermal burns are a common form of child abuse. They account for up to 20% of all abuse cases reported and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. It is imperative that healthcare professionals maintain a high degree of vigilance recognizing signs of abuse, however subtle they may be. This is necessary to protect these vulnerable patients and prevent further injury. Our study seeks to identify predictors of future abuse in patients presenting to the emergency department. This might allow us to identify at risk patients and employ earlier interventions to prevent future harm.
Methods
A retrospective data review was conducted on all pediatric patients admitted to our burn center between 2008–2018 who were also suspected victims of abuse. Data collected included patient demographics, length of stay, size of the burn, type, degree and location of burn, number of previous emergency room visits, and patterns of injury during previous emergency room visits. Abuse was suspected and investigated if the history was inconsistent with the injury or if it changed, if there was an unreasonable delay in seeking medical care. or if the patient was discharged to an alternative caregiver. Data was analyzed with SPSS Statistics version 10.
Results
Out of the 5915 total burn admissions between 2008–2018, abuse was suspected and investigated in 297 cases and confirmed in 131 of those suspected. Patients admitted for suspicious burn injuries had an average of 1.82 (SD=3.15, Min=0, Max=25) previous ED visits. Of these patients, 93.6% had medical insurance, 80.5% had a primary care physician, and 72.7% were up to date with their immunizations. The majority presented with 2nd degree burns (86.5%) and the most common mechanism of injury was scald (60.1%). Pediatric patients with confirmed abusive burn injuries had longer hospital length of stay (9.23 days vs. 3.90 days, p< 0.001), and had greater total body surfaced area burned (9.24% vs 4.71%, p=0.001). Significant indicators of abuse included burn injuries to the bilateral lower extremities (thigh and legs) (p< 0.001), bilateral feet (p=0.030), buttocks (p=0.047), and genitalia (p=0.018), as well as signs of abusive non-burn injuries during previous emergency room visits (p=0.005).
Conclusions
Non-accidental burns should be highly suspected in children presenting with injuries to the bilateral lower extremities, bilateral feet, buttocks, or genitalia, or those with a history of previous non-burn injuries suspicious of abuse. Furthermore, patients with non-accidental burn injuries had more extensive burns and longer lengths of stay in the hospital.
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