Model System:

Burn

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J75732

Journal:


Burns

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 41, 8, 1823-1830

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study compared the emotional and cognitive difficulties experienced during the initial acute hospitalization and the last follow-up visit between children with electrical injuries (EI) and children without electrical injuries (non-EI). It was hypothesized that children with electrical burns would have different psychological outcomes. Medical records of 67 patients with EI and a matched group of 67 survivors of other burns (controls) were reviewed. For the EI group, the mean age at injury was 12.6 years, the mean age at follow up was 15.5 years, and mean total body surface area (TBSA) burned was 32 percent. For the non-EI group, the mean age at injury was 12.4 years, the mean age at follow up was 14.5 years, and mean TBSA was 32 percent. During the acute hospitalization, a significant difference was found between the groups in the area of neuropathic pain. Individuals with EI were more likely to have acute stress disorder/post-traumatic stress disorder as well as amnesia of the accident than the controls; however, this did not reach statistical significance. No differences were found between the groups in other psychological areas. Follow-up information from the last documented psychology/psychiatric visit revealed an equal number of patients experienced anxiety disorders, depression, grief, behavioral problems, and cognitive difficulties. The results indicated that while some differences were evident between the groups immediately after injury, long-term outcomes were similar.

Author(s):


Rosenberg, Marta, Mehta, Neha, Rosenberg, Laura, Ramirez, Maribel, Meyer III, Walter J., Herndon, David N,, Andersen, Clark R., Thomas, Christopher