To investigate the frequency of different kinds of burns, associated factors, major complications and their association with other variables. Methods: We carried out a descriptive study with 537 children and adolescents at Hospital João XXIII from January to December 1992. Results: Of the 537 patients, 408 were children (76%) and 129 were adolescents (24%). Most of the accidents, 398 cases (74%), happened at home, 235 of which (59%) in the kitchen. Hospitalization was necessary for 80 patients. These patients had the highest relative frequency of accidents outside home (P<0.05), and 7 (9.0%) developed septicemia. Flames were the predominant agent for hospitalized patients (P<0.01), and were responsible for the largest extension of burning (P<0.05). Adolescents had more extensive body surface burns than children did (P<0.01). Families made use of local treatment with pomade or homemade medicine in 290 cases (54%), and local wash with water only in 32 (6.0%). Dehydration was the most frequent complication and occurred in 28 (5.0%) patients. The average length of hospitalization was 30±33 days. Conclusions: Most burns were consequence of domestic accidents, especially in children younger than 7 years; hot liquids were the most frequent agents, and the kitchen was the most frequent place. Flames, which caused the largest and deepest lesions, were the first cause of burns in adolescents and the second in children. Dehydration was the most frequent complication in the earlier phases, and septicemia in the subsequent phases.
MethodsWe carried out a descriptive study with 537 children and adolescents at Hospital João XXIII from January to December 1992. Results: Of the 537 patients, 408 were children (76%) and 129 were adolescents (24%). Most of the accidents, 398 cases (74%), happened at home, 235 of which (59%) in the kitchen. Hospitalization was necessary for 80 patients. These patients had the highest relative frequency of accidents outside home (P<0.05), and 7 (9.0%) developed septicemia. Flames were the predominant agent for hospitalized patients (P<0.01), and were responsible for the largest extension of burning (P<0.05). Adolescents had more extensive body surface burns than children did (P<0.01). Families made use of local treatment with pomade or homemade medicine in 290 cases (54%), and local wash with water only in 32 (6.0%). Dehydration was the most frequent complication and occurred in 28 (5.0%) patients. The average length of hospitalization was 30±33 days. Conclusions: Most burns were consequence of domestic accidents, especially in children younger than 7 years; hot liquids were the most frequent agents, and the kitchen was the most frequent place. Flames, which caused the largest and deepest lesions, were the first cause of burns in adolescents and the second in children. Dehydration was the most frequent complication in the earlier phases, and septicemia in the subsequent phases.
ResultsOf the 537 patients, 408 were children (76%) and 129 were adolescents (24%). Most of the accidents, 398 cases (74%), happened at home, 235 of which (59%) in the kitchen. Hospitalization was necessary for 80 patients. These patients had the highest relative frequency of accidents outside home (P<0.05), and 7 (9.0%) developed septicemia. Flames were the predominant agent for hospitalized patients (P<0.01), and were responsible for the largest extension of burning (P<0.05). Adolescents had more extensive body surface burns than children did (P<0.01). Families made use of local treatment with pomade or homemade medicine in 290 cases (54%), and local wash with water only in 32 (6.0%). Dehydration was the most frequent complication and occurred in 28 (5.0%) patients. The average length of hospitalization was 30±33 days. Conclusions: Most burns were consequence of domestic accidents, especially in children younger than 7 years; hot liquids were the most frequent agents, and the kitchen was the most frequent place. Flames, which caused the largest and deepest lesions, were the first cause of burns in adolescents and the second in children. Dehydration was the most frequent complication in the earlier phases, and septicemia in the subsequent phases.
ConclusionsMost burns were consequence of domestic accidents, especially in children younger than 7 years; hot liquids were the most frequent agents, and the kitchen was the most frequent place. Flames, which caused the largest and deepest lesions, were the first cause of burns in adolescents and the second in children. Dehydration was the most frequent complication in the earlier phases, and septicemia in the subsequent phases.
Investigar a freqüência das queimaduras, os fatores associados, as principais complicações e a relação com diversas variáveis.
MétodosEstudo descritivo, conduzido no Hospital João XXIII (jan-dez/92), cuja amostra constituiu-se de 537 crianças e adolescentes.
Resultados408 pacientes (76%) eram crianças (<10 anos) e 129 (24%) eram adolescentes (10-19 anos). 398 acidentes (74%) ocorreram dentro de casa, e destes 235 (59%) na cozinha. 80 pacientes (15,0%) foram internados. Constatou-se maior percentual de acidentes de ocorrência extra-domicilar entre os pacientes admitidos (mais graves) em comparação com aqueles do grupo tratado em ambulatório (p<0,05). Entre os pacientes admitidos, ocorreram sete casos de septicemia (9,0%), a chama foi o agente predominante (p<0,01) e causou queimaduras mais extensas (p<0,05). Os adolescentes apresentaram maior extensão de superfície corporal queimada que as crianças (p<0,01). Em 290 casos (54%) os familiares fizeram tratamento local com pomadas ou produtos caseiros e em 32 (6,0%), banho local com água. A desidratação foi a complicação mais freqüente ocorrendo em 28 pacientes (5,0%). A permanência hospitalar média constatada no estudo foi de 30±33 dias.
ConclusõesA maioria das queimaduras constitui acidente doméstico, especialmente em menores de 7 anos; os líquidos quentes são os agentes mais comuns e a cozinha, a sede mais freqüente. A chama ocupa o 1o lugar em freqüência no adolescente e o 2º na criança, determinando lesões mais extensas e profundas. A desidratação é a complicação mais freqüente na fase inicial, e as infecções, especialmente septicemia, nas fases subseqüentes.
