G108 BURNS AND SCALDS IN YOUNG CHILDREN—A PROSPECTIVE POPULATION BASED STUDY

C. Hamer, J. Heron, A. Emond the ALSPAC Study Team Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, University of Bristol; Hampton House, Cotham, Bristol BS 6 6JS

Aim: To investigate the incidence and the causes of burns and scalds in young children, using an ecological model based on data from a representative population based cohort.

Method: With ethical approval, questionnaire data on injuries were collected from parents in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), when their children were 6, 15, and 24 months of age. Developmental scores were calculated from responses to questions modified from the Denver Developmental Screening Test.

Results: A total of 1648 burn and scald incidents were reported in the 13 971 children in the study in the first 2 years. Burns were reported in 1.5% (173) infants at 6 months, 6.3% (682) at 15 months, and 7.8% (793) at 24 months. Hands were the part most frequently injured at all ages, with hot water and hot drinks being the most common cause at 6 and 15 months and kitchen appliances at 24 months. There were more boys than girls at each time point, and children from ethnic minorities were over represented at 6 and 15 months, but not at 24 months. The children with the best motor scores at 18 months were more likely to sustain a burn at 15 and 24 months, whereas those with the best fine motor scores had less burn incidents at 15 months. Family factors significantly (p<0.05) associated with burns included single and teenage mothers, and having additional adults (other than partner) in the house. Maternal educational level was positively associated with burn rates at 6 months, and negatively related at 15 and 24 months. Environmental factors significantly associated with burns included housing tenure, overcrowding, and lack of a …