Epidemiological changes in children with burns attending clinics in a district of Santiago, Chile, over a 10 year period

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to compare the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of burns suffered by children in a district of Santiago of Chile over a period of ten years. PATIENTS AND METHOD: An analytical study was conducted by checking through the medical files of children under 15 years of age from Pudahuel district who were admitted with burns to the Santiago Aid to Burned Children Corporation (COANIQUEM) during 2011. A comparison was made with the results obtained in a similar study performed in the same district in 2001. RESULTS: In 2011, 440 children were admitted, with an incidence rate of 700/100,000 CONCLUSIONS: Burns incidence has decreased. Hot objects are now the main causal agent. The decrease in the rate of hospitalization and/or graft indicates a lower severity of burns. Language: es