Petrol burns in children – working towards prevention

Nicholas Savage³, Zakary Doherty³, Yvonne Singer³, Hana Menezes³, Heather Cleland^2,3, Paul Baker⁴, Stephen Goldie^1,2,3,
¹Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
²Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
³Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
⁴Middlemore Hospital , Auckland New Zealand

Abstract

Background: Petrol burn injuries involving the paediatric population cause lasting psychosocial and physical changes requiring significant resources from the hospital system and patients’ support network. Despite there being no limited need for children to be exposed to petrol, these inuries continue to occur. We sought to identify potential factors influencing children being exposed to petrol burns.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using the Burn Registry of Australia and New Zealand in children aged less than 16 years. Data regarding demographic, injury severity and in-hospital outcomes were analysed.

Results: There were 273 patients identified with 85% male and median age of 12 years. Median total body surface area (TBSA) injured was 6%. Campfire/burnoff and lighter/matches were the most common cause of injury with 46% and 21% of occurences respectively. Median hospital length of stay was 7 days and 15% required admission to ICU. Only 0.1% patients died. Petrol burns represented 3.09% of burn injuries and resulted in higher TBSA burns than non-petrol injuries (6% vs 3% respectively, P<0.001). Alcohol or drug use was 10x more common in petrol burns than other burn injuries (6% vs 0.6% respectively, P<0.001). The mean cost of treatment per patient was $111,319. Conclusion: Paediatric petrol burns cause significant morbidity and resource use in Australia and New Zealand, although overall mortality is low. Further research is required to identify avenues of prevention including education on appropriate use of petrol, improving design of child-safe petrol containers and increasing awareness of first-aid.

Biography

Nicholas is a Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Resident at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.