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Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the difference in incidence of burn trauma and other epidemiological indicators in paediatric patients received into our clinic in 1991 1993 and in 2006 2008. Type: retrospective, monocentric Office: Clinic of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, Teaching hospital Brno Materials and methodology: A total od 835 children diagnosed with a burn injury were received into our clinic during the monitored periods. Basic epidemiological indicators were then assessed in this group (incidence, mortality, sex, age, length of hospitalization, etiologic agent, burn injury severity, etc.)and compared with each other. Results: The study compared two homogenous age groups (0 14years) Group 1 was formed by children hospitalised at our clinic in 1991 1993. The total number of children was 394. The catchment area of our clinic registered 414 832 children aged 0 14years. The average size of burned areas was 9,3%TBSA (total body surface area). The average injury incidence in the specified period was 31,1 per 100 000. The group mostly at risk of burn injuries was children aged 1 3. The average length of hospitalisation in the first period was 15,8 days (2 165 days). Burns exceeding 30% TBSA were represented by 26 cases (i.e.6,6% of the total number of hospitalised children). Group 2 was formed by children hospitalised at our clinic in 2006 2008. The total number of children was 441. The catchment area of our clinic registered 333 053 children aged 0 14years. The average size of burned areas was 6,9%TBSA (total body surface area). The average incidence reached 44,9 per 100 000. As in group 1, the most affected group were children aged 1 3. The average length of hospitalisation dropped to 8,5 days (2 73 days) in group 2 as well as the number of children with burns exceeding 30%TBSA, which dropped to 12 cases (i.e. 2,7% of the total number of hospitalised children). Discussion: During the last 15 years, the Czech Republic has experienced geographical and administrative changes (transformation of number of regions) as well as demographic changes (decrease in natality - fewer children in the CR). In addition to these, burn traumas were centralised, which provided for an increase in the quality of medical and nursing care for this type of injury. The shared campaign run by the Ministry of Health and the Czech Railways in 2007 2008 appears ti have been successful, resulting in a decrease in the number of electrical traumas on the railways, especially in adolescent boys. The above data indicates that prevention should focus on children aged 1-3years (incl.their parents) and on the household enviroment. The decrease in the length of hospitalisation is the consequence of better covering materials, which frequently make it possible to complete the healing process by means of outpatient treatment. Conclusion: We managed to collect basic epidemiological data from the two above groups of children and to demonstrate the success of prevention and therapy in children s burn trauma by comparing these data.
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