1. Differing patterns in thermal injury incidence and hospitalisations among 0-4 year old children from England
- Author
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Baker, Ruth, Tata, Laila J., Kendrick, Denise, Burch, Tiffany, Kennedy, Mary, Orton, Elizabeth, Baker, Ruth, Tata, Laila J., Kendrick, Denise, Burch, Tiffany, Kennedy, Mary, and Orton, Elizabeth
- Abstract
Objective: To describe patterns in thermal injury incidence and hospitalisations by age, sex, calendar year and socioeconomic status among 0-4 year olds in England for the period 1998-2013. Participants: 708,050 children with linked primary care and hospitalisation data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), respectively. Analysis: Incidence rates of all thermal injuries (identified in CPRD and/or HES), hospitalised thermal injuries, and serious thermal injuries (hospitalised for ≥72 hours). Adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI), estimated using Poisson regression. Results: Incidence rates of all thermal injuries, hospitalised thermal injuries, and serious thermal injuries were 59.5 per 10,000 person-years (95%CI 58.4-60.6), 11.3 (10.8-11.8) and 2.15 (1.95-2.37), respectively. Socioeconomic gradients, between the most and least deprived quintiles, were steepest for serious thermal injuries (IRR 3.17, 95%CI 2.53-3.96). Incidence of all thermal injuries (IRR 0.64, 95%CI 0.58-0.70) and serious thermal injuries (IRR 0.44, 95%CI 0.33-0.59) reduced between 1998/9 and 2012/13. Incidence rates of hospitalised thermal injuries did not significantly change over time. Conclusion: Incidence of all thermal injuries and those hospitalised for ≥72 hours reduced over time. Steep socioeconomic gradients support continued targeting of preventative interventions to those living in the most deprived areas.
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