1. Morbidity rate
The annual incidence rate of burn patients in China is 1.5-2%, of which about 5% require hospitalization, and among the patients treated in hospital, children burn patients account for 1/3.
2.Characteristics of burns in children
1)High percentage of the age group from 10 months to 4 years: It may be related to the fact that children in this age group are curious but have no sense of risk.
2) Prone to shock: Children, especially preschoolers, have imperfectly developed body systems and poor self-regulation ability. After burns, the capillary network opens and a large amount of fluid leaks out into the intertissue fluid, so shock is more likely to occur. China’s “burn treatment” clearly points out that children with 25% burns on the whole body surface area is a very serious burn.
3) Fast recovery: children have strong skin regeneration ability, and if treated properly early, recovery is significantly faster than that of adults. For example, for shallow second-degree burn wounds, adults need 2 weeks to recover, while children can heal in 7-10 days.
4) Significant scar growth: Most children with burns do not have the ability to self-restrain and rarely take the initiative to perform comprehensive scar treatment after the trauma heals. Moreover, children grow rapidly and scar tissue restricts normal growth and development, resulting in earlier and more severe hand and foot deformities.
5) High incidence of character defects: Children with burn scars are often reluctant to actively communicate with children, and over time, they tend to develop introversion, irritability and even autism.
3.How to prevent burns and scalds in children
1) Close the socket and make sure that hot water bottles and cups are out of reach of children.
2) When giving children a shower, add cold water before heating water to prevent children from suddenly entering the water basin.
3) When drinking porridge or soup, put the rice on the table after it is cold
4) Make sure children can’t reach hot metal, charcoal pots, flames, etc.
5) Strengthen the popularization of science: this work needs to be jointly promoted by the government, media, hospitals, schools, etc.
4, how to deal with children after accidental burns / burns
If a child is accidentally burned or scalded, parents should remain calm and not panic. Seek medical help at the first time, do not believe in folk remedies or ancestral secret recipes.
1) Remove the source of heat: For example, remove clothing, but be careful to do so gently and retain the blistered skin.
2) Flushing: Place the affected area under running water (tap water) for 10-20 minutes. Note that flushing is only applicable to small and medium-sized burns, and must not be done if the burn area is greater than 20%, as this may aggravate the shock.
3) Seek medical attention: Be sure to go to a regular medical unit with a burn unit, and do not listen to the prescriptions, as the medical market in China is still confusing and there are cases of aggravation due to the use of herbs every year.
5.What cases require hospitalization?
1) Superficial burns larger than 5%.
2)Deep burns greater than 1%.
3)Special area burns: such as head and neck, perineum, etc.
4)Combined fever.
6.Comprehensive treatment of scar
1)Scar ointment
2)Pressure coat: the scar treatment with the most definite effect at present, which needs to be individually customized and needs to be insisted on for 6-12 months.
3)Static branch bureau: applied to joint area, worn at night when children are sleeping to avoid scar contracture in joint area.
4)Intra-scar hormonal injection
5)Laser treatment
6)Surgery: Surgery is needed as soon as possible when there is a clear obstacle to joint movement, and comprehensive scar treatment should be continued after surgery.
Children are our future, and it is not only the responsibility of families but also the responsibility of the whole society to provide a safe and happy environment for children to grow up. It is hoped that this interview will lead to the consideration of the whole society. The government, media, hospitals, schools and parents should actively consider their roles in protecting children’s safety and effectively reduce the incidence of burns in children.