Incidence of thermal burns in pediatric patients at the Erasmo Meoz University Hospital June 2023 – February 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Thermal burns in the pediatric population are one of the leading causes of childhood trauma worldwide, with serious physical and emotional consequences. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies children as a highly vulnerable group, with the majority of cases being preventable. In Colombia, the National Institute of Health reports an increase in cases, especially in Norte de Santander. However, gaps in local knowledge about this problem persist. This study seeks to determine the incidence and characteristics of pediatric burns in Cúcuta to understand the epidemiological profile and guide preventive actions. Objective: To establish the incidence of thermal burns requiring surgical management and their eventual prognosis in the pediatric population. Methodology: A descriptive, observational, and retrospective study was conducted at the Erasmo Meoz University Hospital in San José de Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, Colombia, from June 2023 to February 2025. Medical records were selected from the database submitted by the IT department, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data entry was performed using an-Excel spreadsheet. Results: Predominance in older male infants, scalds by hot liquids (75.3%) as the predominant causative agent, most injuries were second degree (85.7%) and mild (49.4%), percentage of surgical interventions (83.1%) with predominance of debridement and favorable prognosis with 100% survival. Conclusion: Pediatric thermal burns represent an important cause of morbidity in Cúcuta, with predominance of scalds in older infants, second-degree injuries, and surgical management. These findings, together with the high childhood vulnerability and risk conditions in the home environment, confirm the urgency of focused preventive strategies.