Low- and High-Voltage Electrical Burns in Children: Ten Years of Experience

Abstract

Objective Burn injuries are an important public health problem for all ages. Due to electrical burns high mortality and morbidity rates, their should be evaluated differently from burns from other sources. This study aims to determine factors associated with high- and low-voltage electrical burns in children. Material and Methods The records of 72 patients who were treated for electrical burns were analysed. Electrical burns were divided into two groups: low and high voltage. Demographic data, treatment, outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results The frequency of electrical burns was 1.5%. Low-voltage electrical burns were detected in 79.2% of the patients, and high-voltage electrical burns were detected in 20.8% of the patients. High-voltage burns were more common in rural residents (p < 0.05). Low-voltage electrical burns mostly occurred as a result of home accidents (89.5%), while high-voltage injuries were mostly caused by work accidents (66.6%), (p