Epidemiology of Childhood Burn Injuries in Fars Province, Iran

Childhood burn injuries cause significant morbidity & mortality in Iran. This study analyzed the epidemiology & current causative factors of hospitalized burn injuries among the 1.6 million children between ages 0 to 15 residing in Fars, Iran. The hospitalization rate was 11.9/100,000 person-years. The boys/girls ratio was 1.38. 60% were age 7 or younger. Children aged 2 had the highest burn incidence rate. 93% of the burn injuries occured at home. 31 burns were from suicide attempts among children aged 11-15 yrs, showing a major public health problem for these children. Public health education campaigns are needed. (58 refs)