Beyond the Burn: The Long-Term Effects of Pain, Body Image, and Physical Function in Pediatric Rehabilitation. A Burn Model System Study.

Childhood burn injuries can lead to physical and psychosocial challenges that linger well beyond the initial phases of the trauma. This study explores the interrelated roles of pain, body image, and physical function in children living with burn injuries using data from the Burn Model System National Longitudinal Database. A cohort of 110 children aged 8-17 was assessed six months post-injury. Descriptive and regression analyses revealed that, on average, pediatric burn survivors reported significantly lower pain interference compared to the general pediatric population. However, higher pain interference and number of surgical operations were negatively associated with physical function. Body image was not significantly associated with clinical variables, suggesting a more multifaceted nature of psychosocial recovery. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive pain management and family-centered rehabilitation to foster resilience and enhance functional and emotional outcomes in pediatric burn survivors.