TY - JOUR
T1 - Return to jeopardy
T2 - The fate of pediatric burn patients who are victims of abuse and neglect
AU - Hultman, C. Scott
AU - Priolo, Diane
AU - Cairns, Bruce A.
AU - Grant, Ernest J.
AU - Peterson, Hugh D.
AU - Meyer, Anthony A.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2007 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 1998/7
Y1 - 1998/7
N2 - Child abuse and neglect continue to account for a significant number of pediatric burn injuries. Although the epidemiology of intentional burn injuries has been studied, this report compares victims of abuse with Victims of neglect. Furthermore, we investigate the long-term fate of both victim and perpetrator. A retrospective search of the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center database identified 21 abuse and 21 neglect patients among 238 pediatric admissions (mean age 5.4 years, mean surface area 14%) from 1992 to 1994. The medical, social, and legal records of each patient were examined by two independent review- ers. History, hospital course, and disposition were compared between groups by chi-square analysis and Student's t test. Compared with victims of neglect, abused children were slightly younger (2.1 vs 2.7 years), had somewhat larger burns (12.3% vs 9.0% total body surface area), had inconsistent mechanisims of injury (90% vs 33%, p < 0.001) that were bathroom-related (81% vs 29%, p < 0.001), were likely to have a history of abuse (57% vs 24%, p < 0.05) or stigrnata of abuse on exam (43% vs 14%, p < 0.05), had longer lengths of stay (23.8 vs 14.1 days, p < 0.05), had similar complication rates, and were placed more often in foster care (65% vs 15%, p < 0.0). Inpatient mortality was 5%. Mean follow-up was 108 days, during which time two children were readmitted for repeat abuse. Regarding the care- givers, 57% were single mothers, 36% had been investigated for abuse or neglect, and 12% had lost custody of other children. Of the perpetrators involved in abuse, 71% were charged with a felony, 43% Were convicted, and 19% were incarcerated longer than 30 days. Victims of burn abuse and neglect differ considerably in terms of history and disposition but not hospital course. Children in both groups, however, remain at risk for abuse and neglect after discharge. We recommend hat more aggressive efforts be made to secure safe environments for these children and that the perpetrator, if clearly identified, be dealt with in a fashion to prevent recurrence of the offense.
AB - Child abuse and neglect continue to account for a significant number of pediatric burn injuries. Although the epidemiology of intentional burn injuries has been studied, this report compares victims of abuse with Victims of neglect. Furthermore, we investigate the long-term fate of both victim and perpetrator. A retrospective search of the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center database identified 21 abuse and 21 neglect patients among 238 pediatric admissions (mean age 5.4 years, mean surface area 14%) from 1992 to 1994. The medical, social, and legal records of each patient were examined by two independent review- ers. History, hospital course, and disposition were compared between groups by chi-square analysis and Student's t test. Compared with victims of neglect, abused children were slightly younger (2.1 vs 2.7 years), had somewhat larger burns (12.3% vs 9.0% total body surface area), had inconsistent mechanisims of injury (90% vs 33%, p < 0.001) that were bathroom-related (81% vs 29%, p < 0.001), were likely to have a history of abuse (57% vs 24%, p < 0.05) or stigrnata of abuse on exam (43% vs 14%, p < 0.05), had longer lengths of stay (23.8 vs 14.1 days, p < 0.05), had similar complication rates, and were placed more often in foster care (65% vs 15%, p < 0.0). Inpatient mortality was 5%. Mean follow-up was 108 days, during which time two children were readmitted for repeat abuse. Regarding the care- givers, 57% were single mothers, 36% had been investigated for abuse or neglect, and 12% had lost custody of other children. Of the perpetrators involved in abuse, 71% were charged with a felony, 43% Were convicted, and 19% were incarcerated longer than 30 days. Victims of burn abuse and neglect differ considerably in terms of history and disposition but not hospital course. Children in both groups, however, remain at risk for abuse and neglect after discharge. We recommend hat more aggressive efforts be made to secure safe environments for these children and that the perpetrator, if clearly identified, be dealt with in a fashion to prevent recurrence of the offense.
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M3 - Article
C2 - 9710740
AN - SCOPUS:0031904747
SN - 0273-8481
VL - 19
SP - 367
EP - 376
JO - Journal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation
JF - Journal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation
IS - 4
ER -