Impact of the 2020 French lockdown due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on emergency consultations for pediatric burns in a regional referral hospital.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic required the establishment of total lockdown in France from March 17 to May 11, 2020. We analyzed the impact of this lockdown on the pediatric burn population consulting in our burn unit during this period compared to data from previous years in order to analyze our model of emergency care for children burned during this unprecedented situation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective single-center study by reviewing files concerning emergency consultations for children burns during the total lockdown in France in 2020 (COVID group) compared to the same weeks of 2018 and 2019 (no-COVID group). RESULTS: We find a significant decrease in the number of consultations (P=0.02) during the confinement period. In the "COVID" group, we found a significant increase in burn to the hand (P=0.03) and lower limbs (P=0.03). The other criteria evaluated did not find any difference between the groups. Assessment of a possible rebound effect within 2 weeks of total lockdown found an increased incidence of the children burn consultation, an increased number of older children and mainly male. CONCLUSION: The decrease in the number of consultations alerts us to a potential increase in the functional sequelae of burns in these patients at risk. Longer-term follow-up will allow us to assess the consequences of this lockdown on this particularly at-risk population.

Epidemiological analysis of burn injuries in children during the first COVID-19 lockdown, and a comparison with the previous five years.

BACKGROUND: Child burns rank among the most frequent domestic accidents in France. COVID-19 lockdown between March 16th and May 11th of 2020 increased time spent at home by children. MATERIAL: This retrospective, observational study described the epidemiological impact of COVID-19 lockdown on child burns in a pediatric surgery department compared with previous five years. Child burns in the previous five years constituted the "before COVID-19 group" as the reference group. Child burns during the first lockdown formed the "COVID-19 group". Demographics characteristics, the delay before first attendance at the surgery department, burns characteristics, the place of the incident, need of skin graft, and child reactions to trauma or isolation were recorded for these two groups. RESULTS: A total of thirty-seven children were included, 16 of them in the COVID-19 group. In the COVID-19 group, burned children were mainly boys, with a median age of 18 months. The median time before first attendance was four days. Main burns characteristics were to be deep partial thickness burns, involved lower limbs, caused by scalding. All burns occurred at home. Half parents reported child reactions to trauma or isolation among their children before burn injury. CONCLUSION: The incidence of child burn injuries in the COVID-19 group was higher compared to the before COVID-19 group, but no increased delay to attendance recorded. Time spent at home and psychosocial impact of lockdown might partially explain this high incidence rate of child burns. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.