Scald Burns in Children. An Analysis with Special Attention to the Roma Ethnic Group in East Slovakia

Objectives: A retrospective analysis of scald burns in children in a region with a significant prevalence of Roma ethnicity living in poor socioeconomic situation. Patients: During 3 year period 273 children were admitted to the Clinic of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery of our hospital; 201 of them were with scald burns accounting for 73.6% of all pediatric burn admissions. More than half (58.7%) of the 201 children with scald burns were of Roma ethnicity. Results: The average BSAB of the children with scald burns was 10.8%; mean length of hospital stay 11.5 days. 58.7% of the children with scald burns was of Roma ethnicity. The non-scald admissions of children had a similar pattern but these children were older and with an even higher prevalence of Roma patients (75%), a slightly lower average BSAB (9.8%) and a significantly longer need of hospital treatment (average 15.7 days). Conclusion: The frequency of scald burn injuries in very young Roma children in our region is very high. Prevention of scald burns is possible only through targeted and well-organized education of this vulnerable population.