Objective:

To estimate the burn risk in children associated with some elements of family dynamics and the household structure of low-income families without medical insurance.

Patients and methods.

The participants in this case-control study were matched by age and sex. The population comprised children from low-income families without medical insurance who were treated at the Civil Hospital of Guadalajara "Dr. Juan I. Menchaca" from May 2010 to January 2011. The variables were the socio-demographic characteristics of the child and their caregiver, the agent of burn, and various elements of family dynamics and household structure. To calculate the risk factors, we used Logistic Regression to obtain the Odds Ratio and Confidence Intervals of 95%.

Results.

The risk factors were not having a caregiver present at the time of burn (OR 13.44, 5.14-35.15), parents treated for depression (OR 15.55,1.84-131.08), and children who belong to a single parent family (OR 4.29,1.84-9.98). On the contrary, a child who has three or more siblings reduces burn risk (OR 0.41, 0.18-0.92).

Conclusions.

The following elements had not been detected as risk factors in low-income families without medical insurance: caregiver absence, depression in parents, and belonging to a single-parent family.

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