Time Value of Money

Unintentional Burns in Children

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Abstract:

Unintentional injuries are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among adolescent and children in the World. A better understanding of the demographics of the most affected group is of essence in directing resources towards programs and research most likely to minimize the burden.

This research paper is in part to coincide with the World Health Organization Report of the year 2008 on Child Injury Prevention. It gives an overview of the patterns of unintentional injuries in children in the World. Unintentional burns are significant cause of injuries to young children. It is the third most major cause of injuries resulting in deaths after drowning and motor vehicle accidents. Patients admitted as a result of burns account for the greatest length of stay in hospitals and the costs associated with care are normally significant. Most of burn accidents among children are scald accidents resulting from hot liquids. They mostly occur among children aging between 0 and 4 years. Other causes of burns include chemical, electrical and intentional injuries. Injury mechanisms in children are often very unique and they involve explanatory behaviors without prior comprehension of the risks in their environment. Assessment of a burnt child includes breathing and circulation stabilization, airway, followed by the assessment of the degree of the burnt. This is then followed by head to toe examination. The conventional rule of 9s for determining the total surface area of burn is normally not accurate for the pediatric population. The method therefore requires some modifications like the use of Browder and Lund Chart or using the palm of a child to represent one percent of the...