Epidemiology of bedside stove burns in a retrospective cohort of 5089 pediatric patients

ObjectiveTo retrospectively analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric bedside stove burns (PBSB) in China and to explore prevention and control measures.MethodsData on pediatric burns from three hospitals located in the epidemic area were collected from January 1996 to December 2010 and were divided into the PBSB group and the control group. The epidemiological characteristics and related information for each patient were analyzed.ResultsA total of 16,595 pediatric burns were found, including 5089 PBSB and 11,506 other types of burns. The two groups differed significantly in terms of age, gender, body parts burned, degree of burn, delay of hospitalization, and treatment measures (Ps all < 0.05). Risk factors for PBSB included being younger than 3 years old, living in a rural area, low literacy level of guardians, not receiving health education, and lack of a protective fence protection (Ps all < 0.05). Furthermore, meal time and winter and spring seasons were high risk periods for PBSB.ConclusionThe risk factors for PBSB include age, region, time of occurrence, and literacy level of guardians. Health education and installation of a protective fence between the stove and the bed could reduce the incidence of PBSB.