The burden of itch: Evaluating pruritus in children with burn injuries

ABSTRACT Background: Chronic pruritus in pediatric burn patients is a distressing and often overlooked complication that can significantly impact quality of life. Understanding the epidemiology, predictors, and clinical course of pruritus in this population is essential for effective management. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate pruritus in pediatric burn survivors. Data were collected from medical records, including demographic information, burn characteristics, and pruritus severity scores. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the predictors of prolonged pruritus and define its clinical course. Results: Among 150 pediatric burn patients included in the study, 65% experienced prolonged pruritus following burn injury. Factors associated with prolonged pruritus included age at burn injury ( P < 0.001), total body surface area burned ( P = 0.023), and presence of inhalation injury ( P = 0.045). Pruritus severity, measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), was significantly higher in patients with prolonged pruritus compared to those with transient pruritus (mean VAS score: 7.8 vs. 4.2, P < 0.001). In addition, the clinical course of pruritus in pediatric burn survivors was characterized by persistent symptoms in 80% of cases, with a median duration of 12 months (interquartile range: 6–18 months). Conclusions: Pruritus is a common and often persistent issue in pediatric burn survivors. Our findings highlight the importance of early recognition and the management of pruritus to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.