Epidemiology and Trend of US Pediatric Burn Hospitalizations, 2003-2016

Abstract Background Thermal injury is a leading cause of unintentional pediatric trauma morbidity and mortality. Methods This retrospective analysis of the 2003-2016 Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID) included children  Results The population rate of pediatric burn admissions decreased by 4.6% from 2003-2012, but the proportion of admissions to hospitals with burn pediatric patient volumes ≥ 100 increased by 63.9%. The overall mortality rate of hospitalized burn patients decreased by 48.1%. Median length of stay increased slightly for patients with a burn ≥20% total body surface area (TBSA) but decreased for patients with TBSA burn  Conclusion Pediatric burn hospitalizations and burn-related mortality have decreased over time. The increases in transfers and admissions to hospitals with high pediatric burn volumes suggest increasing regionalization of care.