Retrospective evaluation of admission criteria for paediatric electrical injuries

Pediatric electrical injuries: A review of 38 consecutive patients

“…In the literature, most EBI in children are reported to be of low-voltage injuries, and they usually occur at home. 1,4,6,7 However, in our series, the most common types of EBI in the pediatric population were owing to high voltage. Our unit is a tertiary burn center, and this may play an important role in the increased number of critical cases presenting to our unit after an HV injury.…”

“…Because of this potential for cardiac problems, patients with electrical injuries are usually admitted for at least 24 hours of cardiac monitoring. 2,4,6,7,9 In addition to this type of observation, testing of the enzymatic indicators of myocardial damage is also recommended. 2,4,6,8,10,11 Cardiac damage may be caused in 2 further ways, thermal injury to the myocardium and ischemic injury.…”

“…2,4,6,7,9 In addition to this type of observation, testing of the enzymatic indicators of myocardial damage is also recommended. 2,4,6,8,10,11 Cardiac damage may be caused in 2 further ways, thermal injury to the myocardium and ischemic injury. 2 Our data are consistent with previously reported pediatric series mentioning that patients who have a normal ECG result on admission usually do not have serious arrhythmias.…”

“…Visceral injuries, lacerations or hemorrhages, and cranial and extremity fractures have been reported previously. 3,4,6 Fractures may occur in electrical injuries owing to the strong and sudden contraction of muscles with the high voltage. 4 Classically, it is thought that alternating current can be more dangerous than direct current, which produces muscle spasms only at the beginning and at the end of flow, whereas alternating current produces muscular contractions and relaxations with each cycle.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] However, there are few studies that focus on EBI in children. 1,4,6 The most common cause of death remains cardiac arrest after acute arrhythmias at the scene of the incident. After arrival in the burn center, general morbidity is the major problem.…”