INTRODUCTION
By definition, burn is a tissue injury caused by any form of heat, contact with electric
current or chemical substance1, generating local, systemic, and metabolic effects, whose depth and extent depend
on the intensity and duration of the thermal agent2.
Burns are considered a global public health problem and have a higher incidence in
underdeveloped countries, accounting for approximately 180,000 deaths per year3. In Brazil, it is estimated that 1,000,000 accidents involving burns occur annually,
with 100,000 patients seeking medical assistance and of these, about 2,500 result
in death due to the severity of the injuries4.
In pediatric patients, burns are the second most common cause among incidents that
occur in childhood (mainly children under 14 years of age) and the third cause of
death in children5. Among the most frequent causal agents, scalding is consolidated as the main one,
followed by flammable liquid and heated surface2,6,7.
Among the risk factors linked to the development of this trauma, age of fewer than
5 years, male gender, domestic environment, superheated liquids and use of liquid
alcohol stand out8,9.
Burns can be classified according to extent and depth. As for the extent, several
methods are available to calculate this percentage10; a child with more than 10% of the affected body surface is considered a major burn7,11. Regarding depth, a 1st-degree burn affects only the epidermis, 2nd degree when it affects part of the dermis and 3rd degree when all layers of the skin and deep tissues are affected12. Short- and long-term morbidity and mortality are related to the extent and depth
of the lesions13,14, the initial approach and treatment instituted15, with infection as the main complication16,17. The psychosocial implications18,19 for the individual and the family should also be considered to minimize them.
The elaboration of care protocols20, the multidisciplinary approach21, and the structuring of specialized centers22 and intensive care units trained to accommodate this patient have contributed to
the reduction of mortality, reduction of functional, aesthetic and psychological sequelae,
improving the quality of life of these patients23.
The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most impactful public health issues in Brazil
and worldwide. The permanence of children and adolescents in the home environment
increases the risk of domestic accidents24, mostly unintentional and preventable situations.
The kitchen25,26 represents a great danger, as well as the frequent use of alcohol27, especially at this time for hand hygiene, surfaces and objects, highly flammable,
which makes it equally dangerous28, not to mention the use of cell phones and tablets while charging.
In this sense, the present study aims to analyze the rates of hospital admissions
due to burns in pediatric patients in the states of the Southern Region from 2016
to 2020, aiming to enrich the epidemiological knowledge about burns in Brazil and
possibly assist in prevention policies and burn patient care at local, state, regional,
and national levels.
OBJECTIVE
Main objective
To analyze the rates of hospital admissions due to burns in pediatric patients in
the states of the Southern Region (Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul) from
2016 to 2020.
Specific objectives
Describe the socio-epidemiological characteristics of the victims;
Check the annual trend in the period studied;
Check the average length of stay of victims in hospitals;
Analyze the mortality rate of this trauma during the stipulated period;
To examine this trauma’s clinical outcome (death) in children and adolescents.
METHODS
This is a time series (ecological), descriptive and retrospective study of hospitalization
rates for burns in pediatric patients in the southern region of Brazil from 2016 to
2020. The study population following data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography
and Statistics (IBGE), comprising 8,256 children and adolescents aged 0 to 14 years
who had hospitalization registered in the Hospitalization Authorizations (HA) due
to burns and registered in the Hospital Information System (HIS/SUS) in the southern
region of the country, from 2016 to 2020. Incomplete data were excluded.
All patients, aged between 0 and 14 years, included in the HA from the South Region
of Brazil who were hospitalized and registered by the HIS/SUS for burns, which is
available at the Department of Informatics of the SUS (DATASUS), were included. Data
were stratified by gender and age group.
Data were obtained from DATASUS, the Hospital Information System (HIS), which were
grouped into the system through HA records. The data were accessed through the Tabwin
data tabulator and later converted into files compatible with the Excel program. For
the construction of the database, all hospitalizations for burns in the age group
from 0 to 14 years in the period from 2016 to 2020, according to the International
Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), in the South Region were considered.
Data were organized in a database created and analyzed using Microsoft Excel® version
365 software. Quantitative variables were described using measures of central tendency
and data dispersion. Qualitative variables were described using absolute and percentage
frequency. The temporal trend was performed using linear regression. The statistical
significance level adopted was 5% (p<0.05).
The author stated that the data used in the preparation of the manuscript entitled
“Time series of hospitalizations for burns in pediatric patients in the southern region
of Brazil from 2016 to 2020” were obtained from the online database and access free
from HIS/SUS, available at DATASUS, which justifies the absence of the opinion of
the Research Ethics Committee (CEP). This information is available on the Internet
for a free consultation in the form of data aggregated by states and municipalities;
that is, they were not collected individually and nominally.
In this sense, there is no possibility of physical or moral damage from the individual’s
perspective and the collectivities, as the principles contained in Resolution 466
of December 12, 2012, were respected.
Thus, this article did not require submission to the CEP of the University of Southern
Santa Catarina (UNISUL).
RESULTS
In the period from 2016 to 2020, 8,256 hospitalizations of children and adolescents
victims of burns were carried out in the Southern Region of Brazil, with the state
of Paraná as responsible for the highest rates throughout the period studied, as opposed
to the state of Rio Grande do Sul, with the minors. In 2018, the study showed its
worst data (n=1848) regarding the number of hospitalizations (Figure 1).
Figure 1 - Hospitalizations for burns in pediatric patients in the Southern Region of Brazil
from 2016 to 2020.
Figure 1 - Hospitalizations for burns in pediatric patients in the Southern Region of Brazil
from 2016 to 2020.
The main age group (Figure 2) involves preschool children aged 1-4 years (n=4748), followed by third childhood
children aged 5-9 years (n=1588). As for gender (Figure 3), most of the children’s sample predominates males (n= 5205). Regarding color/race
(Figure 4), white color is predominant with 6263 of those involved, with medical records without
this variable (SI) obtaining numbers higher than black, brown, indigenous and yellow
in total (n=929), mainly in the state of Paraná (n=766).
Figure 2 - Age range of hospitalizations for burns in pediatric patients in the Southern Region
of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
Figure 2 - Age range of hospitalizations for burns in pediatric patients in the Southern Region
of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
Figure 3 - Gender of hospitalizations for burns in pediatric patients in the Southern Region
of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
Figure 3 - Gender of hospitalizations for burns in pediatric patients in the Southern Region
of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
Figure 4 - Color/race of hospitalizations for burns in pediatric patients in the Southern Region
of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
Figure 4 - Color/race of hospitalizations for burns in pediatric patients in the Southern Region
of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
Regarding the annual trend, according to the Pearson scale (Table 1), it is noted that there was no significant linear correlation in the cases with
the occurrence of the years (Figure 5) of the studied period since the numbers presented are not close to or exceed the
value absolute of 1.
Table 1 - Correlation of annual variations in the Pearson Scale of hospital admissions for burns
in pediatric patients in the Southern Region of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
|
PR |
SC |
RS |
| R |
0.493 |
-0.184 |
-0.64 |
| P |
0.398 |
0.767 |
0.244 |
| N |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Table 1 - Correlation of annual variations in the Pearson Scale of hospital admissions for burns
in pediatric patients in the Southern Region of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
Figure 5 - Annual trend of hospitalizations for burns in pediatric patients in the Southern Region
of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
Figure 5 - Annual trend of hospitalizations for burns in pediatric patients in the Southern Region
of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
According to the lethality rate per 100,000 inhabitants (Figure 6) and the exact number of deaths (Figure 7), the state of Paraná leads in these variables, except for the year 2018, when the
state of Rio Grande surpasses it do Sul in fatality rate (n=1227.0), in almost all
the years evaluated, with the highest numbers obtained in 2016 - these being, respectively,
3091, 4 and 23. On the other hand, the lowest rates were obtained in 2019, with a
lethality rate of 0.0 for the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul due to
the non-occurrence of deaths in those states during this period.
Figure 6 - Lethality rate of hospital admissions due to burns in pediatric patients in the Southern
Region of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
Figure 6 - Lethality rate of hospital admissions due to burns in pediatric patients in the Southern
Region of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
Figure 7 - Number of deaths from hospitalizations due to burns in pediatric patients in the Southern
Region of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
Figure 7 - Number of deaths from hospitalizations due to burns in pediatric patients in the Southern
Region of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
Analyzing the average length of hospital stay for pediatric burns in the South Region
of Brazil between 2016-2020 (Figure 8), Rio Grande do Sul has the highest average, reaching close to 7 days, especially
in 2016 and 2019. On the other hand, despite Paraná leading the hospitalization rate
throughout the period studied, it only figures with an average of more than 5 days
in 2016.
Figure 8 - Average length of stay of hospitalizations for burns in pediatric patients in the
Southern Region of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
Figure 8 - Average length of stay of hospitalizations for burns in pediatric patients in the
Southern Region of Brazil from 2016 to 2020.
DISCUSSION
Burns have been considered a serious public health problem in underdeveloped countries,
including Brazil. Knowledge of epidemiological data is of paramount importance to
provide subsidies for prevention and treatment programs, as well as helping to define
a parallel between the experiences of national and international centers11.
The data obtained in the present study demonstrated a stable temporal trend in the
number of pediatric burn hospitalizations in the southern region of Brazil during
the period studied (2016-2020). However, a similar study carried out throughout Brazil
between 2008 and 2015 showed increased cases in the South Region18. Likewise, when analyzing the hospitalization rate due to burns in each state, it
was found that Paraná had the highest rates concerning Santa Catarina and Rio Grande
do Sul for all age groups, in agreement with other authors15,29.
Regarding gender, there was a predominance of males, with 63.04% (n=5205) of cases,
a finding similar to that described by several authors2,5-8,11,15. This fact can be explained by the difference between the behavior of male and female
children, given that boys are educated to be more independent, have greater freedom
to carry out riskier activities and games, being more exposed to such accidents7.
Historically, burns are potentially preventable injuries, predominantly in the pediatric
class, requiring basic and essential care from their guardians and the children themselves6. This is demonstrated by the fact that 57.5% (n=4748) of burns occurred in children
aged 1-4 years, an age group in which, due to neuropsychomotor development, there
is no adequate notion of danger and safety. This data agrees with other published
studies, in which the average age of fewer than 5 years corresponds to most burn victims2,7,8,11,15. In this sense, it is necessary to increase vigilance on the part of parents and
other family members, in addition to the adoption of some preventive measures, such
as not leaving flammable liquids in the children’s field of vision, in an attempt
to reduce such rates in the appropriate age group.
In several publications2,6-8,11, it was demonstrated that superheated liquid was the main etiological agent of burns
in children in Brazil, surpassing liquid alcohol. This fact can be explained by an
article from 2009, as it shows a significant reduction of 10.16% in the incidence
of burns caused by liquid alcohol in children in the year immediately following the
ban on its sale30.
Analyzing the average hospitalization per state, it was noted that even the largest
of them, corresponding to Rio Grande do Sul, is in line with other literature, being
limited to a number lower than or close to two weeks2,7,11,22. However, another epidemiological study carried out between 2010 and 2017 in a hospital
in the southern region of Brazil found an average length of stay higher than those
described in this article6.
As for the outcome that occurred in this period, 0.76% (n=62) of the patients died,
a result that may be related both to better access to the specialized service and
notification by the states of this region18 and to governmental and non-governmental initiatives in the prevention of this stir
as the National Policy for Reducing Morbidity and Mortality from Accidents and Violence,
implemented in 2001 by the Ministry of Health, with proposals for specific actions
in all public spheres, whose guidelines aim to promote the adoption of safe and healthy
behaviors and environments31.
It is also worth noting, on a non-governmental level, the national burn prevention
campaigns developed by the Revista Brasileira de Queimaduras (RBQ) and the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Criança Segura, an affiliate of International Safe Kids Worldwide, based in Washington, D.C. in
the United States. Such idealizations are positive agents in the reduction of cases
of burns that require hospitalization since most occur accidentally18.
In general, all epidemiological studies are subject to bias. The data corresponding
to the three southern states shows a tendency towards stability in the number of pediatric
burn hospitalizations over the years. However, some limitations must be highlighted
in the interpretation. Including only hospitalization data from the DATASUS database
is prone to bias; that is, there may be underreporting of hospitalizations due to
external causes and some distortions concerning the types of causes in the HIS.
Added to this, another limitation refers to the funding source for these hospitalizations.
The present study only included hospitalizations financed by the SUS, which excludes
hospitalizations by private individuals and health insurance, which were not evidenced
in this study. As the vast majority of consultations are carried out via the SUS,
it is believed that the present work can offer a good picture of the reality of hospitalizations
due to burns in the southern region of Brazil.
CONCLUSION
In the period between 2016 and 2020, there were 8256 hospitalizations for burns in
children aged 0 to 14 years in the southern region of Brazil. Most of these (63.04%)
occurred in the male population and the age group of 1-4 years (57.5%). During the
studied period, there was no significant annual variation in the number of hospitalizations
for burns in Brazil when analyzing the age group of 0 - 14 years of each state in
the South Region. Separately, the state of Paraná had the highest rates of pediatric
hospitalization throughout the study. On the other hand, the state of Rio Grande do
Sul had the lowest rates.
Therefore, it is necessary to raise the awareness of parents and other family members
to increase vigilance and care for children and adolescents, seeking the adoption
of preventive measures against this tormentor. Furthermore, against burns, prevention
is the best treatment.
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1. Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Curso de Medicina, Tubarão, Santa Catarina,
Brazil
Corresponding author: Thiago Gonçalves Souza Rua vigário José Poggel, 588, ed Torre di Fiori, ap 204, Tubarão, SC, Brazil. Zip
code: 88704-240, E-mail: thiago_goncalves_220@hotmail.com
Article received: September 19, 2021.
Article accepted: December 13, 2021.
Conflicts of interest: none.
