[Burn injuries in children and adolescents: clinical and epidemiological characterization].

Burns are important causes of morbidity and mortality in children and adolescents whose effects are reflected in significant functional limitations. This is a descriptive, quantitative study aimed to characterize the clinical and epidemiological profile of children and adolescents victims of burns admitted to a referral Hospital of Joao Pessoa, Brazil from January 2007 to December 2009. The majority of victims were infants (87%), preschoolers (88.2%) and boys (54%). The incident mostly occurred at home (85.5%) by accident (90%) and scalding (69.6%). Second-degree burns were predominant in 62.6% of cases and about 24.2% of the sample developed complications and secondary infection was the most common (1.1%). Balneotherapy is one of the most common procedures. We conclude that education programs at schools, community centers and in the media need to be strengthen since most injuries occur in the home environment and could be prevented.