能登半島地震での被災者で、5歳の男児が熱傷で亡くなられた報道を聞き、本当に残念で、ご家族の方にお悔やみ申し上げます。
小児の熱傷はその面積と深さにより治療を素早く行わなければなりません。
特に小児の場合は、熱傷面積が小さくても脱水になりやすいので、熱傷II度以上の面積が10％を越えると輸液療法の適応になります。できるだけ早めに30分程度の水による冷却が必要であり、必ず、医療機関による診察と治療が大切です。
1998～2008年までに、テキサス大学医学部シュライナー小児病院952例の重度熱傷患児の平均年齢は7.3歳で男児が628例（66％）123例（13％）が死亡し、そのうち熱傷面積30～39％の群の死亡率が3％（5/180例）90～100％の群は55％、154例（16％）が多臓器不全、敗血症は9％（89例）が発症し、30～39％群の2％（3/180例）90～100％群は26％（13/51例）（引用：CareNET）。
熱傷面積が30％を越えると死亡する可能性を報告しています。
熱傷は、熱によって皮膚が損傷した状態を言います。
熱傷の程度は、皮膚が損傷した深さによって分類されます。
- 第I度熱傷：皮膚の表層が赤くなる程度。痛みがあり、数日で自然に治癒する。
- 第II度熱傷：皮膚の表層と真皮の一部が損傷。水ぶくれができ、痛みや痒みがある。数週間から数ヶ月で治癒するが、治療の対象となる。
- 第III度熱傷：皮膚の表層、真皮、そして皮下組織まで損傷。水ぶくれはほとんどできず、痛みや痒みはほとんどない。皮膚の再生が困難で、手術が必要となる場合もある。
Translation of the Japanese text by Bard:
I am deeply saddened to hear the news that a 5-year-old boy who was a victim of the Noto Peninsula earthquake died of burns. I extend my deepest condolences to the boy's family.
The treatment of pediatric burns must be carried out quickly depending on the extent and depth of the burn.
In particular, children are more likely to become dehydrated even with a small burn area, so if the area of a second-degree or higher burn exceeds 10%, fluid therapy is indicated. It is important to cool the affected area with water for about 30 minutes as soon as possible, and it is always important to seek medical attention and treatment.
According to a study of 952 cases of severe pediatric burns at the Shriners Children's Hospital of the University of Texas Medical Branch from 1998 to 2008, the average age of the patients was 7.3 years old, 628 cases (66%) were boys, and 123 cases (13%) died. Of these, the mortality rate for the group with a burn area of 30 to 39% was 3% (5/180 cases), 55% for the group with a burn area of 90 to 100%, and 154 cases (16%) developed multi-organ failure and sepsis developed in 9% (89 cases). The mortality rate was 2% (3/180 cases) for the group with a burn area of 30 to 39% and 26% (13/51 cases) for the group with a burn area of 90 to 100% (quoted from CareNET).
The study reported that the possibility of death increases when the burn area exceeds 30%.
A burn is a condition in which the skin is damaged by heat.
The severity of a burn is classified by the depth of the skin damage.
First-degree burn: The surface of the skin turns red. It is painful and heals naturally within a few days. Second-degree burn: The surface and part of the dermis of the skin are damaged. Blisters form, and there is pain and itching. It takes several weeks to several months to heal, but it is a target for treatment. Third-degree burn: The surface, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue of the skin are damaged. Blisters rarely form, and there is little pain or itching. Skin regeneration is difficult, and surgery may be required in some cases.
Therefore, it is important to always see a doctor for burns, as the severity of the burn varies depending on the depth.