RESUMEN

Epidemiological data of 290 children admitted to the Paediatric Department, University Hospital of Iceland, over a 14 year period, 1982-1995, are presented. The sex ratio boys/girls was 1.6. 72.8% were children four years and younger. Hot fluids was the most common cause of burn injuries, mostly caused by geothermal hot water. Only one child suffered from electricity burn injuries and none from corrosives. Most of the accidents occurred at home (81.4%). A decreasing number of children suffering from electricity and corrosive burn injuries reflects heightened awareness and improved safety in the home. We found a significant increase in the incidence of hot fluid burn injuries in Icelandic children compared to previous studies. This calls for preventive measures with regard to geothermal and other hot water burns in Icelandic children.

Asunto(s)

Quemaduras/epidemiología , Hospitales Pediátricos/estadística & datos numéricos , Admisión del Paciente/estadística & datos numéricos , Vigilancia de la Población , Accidentes Domésticos/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Quemaduras/diagnóstico , Quemaduras/etiología , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Hospitales Universitarios/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Islandia/epidemiología , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Estudios Retrospectivos , Índices de Gravedad del Trauma

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Due to widespread access to hot water in Iceland it has been suspected that the incidence of burn injury is higher compared to other countries. The epidemiology of severe burn injury needing hospitalization was studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The files of all patients who were diagnosed with burn injury and admitted to the four largest community hospitals in Iceland were retrospectively reviewed. Only those 266 patients admitted primarly because of the burn injury were included. The incidence of severe burn injury needing hospitalization was 20.5/100.000/year. RESULTS: Scald burns were most common and children younger than five years old were more prone to such burns than older patients. Tap-water burns are considerable more common in Iceland compared to other countries. In the relatively few hot spring water burns, 72.8% of the victims were foreign tourists. The main findings are that one third of all severe burns needing hospitalization in Iceland occur in children younger than five years old. The incidence of burns seems to be similar to reported series. More than half of all burns needing hospitalization in Iceland are scald burns and the incidence of burns due to tap water is higher in this country than elsewhere. CONCLUSION: We conclude that it should be possible to reduce the risk of severe burn injuries in Iceland through education campaigns and also by legislating maximum temperature of the tap-water at 52-54 degrees C.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To increase our knowledge of burn injuries in children in Iceland and to induce education and prevention in order to reduce the incidence of burn injuries among children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data was collected from hospital records of all children 15 years and younger admitted with burn injuries to the University Hospital of Iceland, Paediatric Department, from 1982-1995. RESULTS: There were 290 children admitted, 179 boys and 111 girls, sex ratio 1.6. Children four years and younger were 72.8%. Approximately 21 children were admitted annually. Seasonal variation was noted with most admittances in December. The times when the injuries occurred peaked at lunch and dinner times. Scalds was most common, hot water caused 45.8% of the burn injuries, most frequently due to bathwater (15.2%). Hot liquids caused 26.9%, most often caused by coffee-, tea- and cacao drinks (19.3%). Flames caused 12.4% of the burn injuries, fireworks 5.5% and hot object 5.2%. Most of these accidents occurred at home (81.4%). CONCLUSION: Children four years and younger are most susceptible for burn injuries. Hot water and liquids caused most of these burn injuries. Burn injuries are common in childhood. Our data provide basis for better prevention.

RESUMEN

Cystic fibrosis is a serious autosomal recessive disorder. It is commonest among the white Caucasian populations in North and Western Europe. However, no information is available on this disease in Iceland. Only 21 patients have been diagnosed with this condition in Iceland since 1958, hence the prevalence is estimated to be around 1/7000. Three young children, aged 6-30 months, with clinical symptoms suggestive of cystic fibrosis: namely recurrent respiratory infections, malabsorption of fat, low trypsin and chymotrypsin activity and positive sweat test, were investigated. Mutational analysis revealed that all three children were homozygous for the AF508 mutation in the cystic fibrosis gene. This is the first report of cystic fibrosis in Iceland. It is expected that 2-3% of the population are carriers of cystic fibrosis. Identification of all disease-causing mutations in the population should be feasible and encouraged.