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Ten years epidemiological study of paediatric burns in Manipal, India
P Kumar1, P T Chirayil, R Chittoria
1Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India. info@mahe.ernet.in
Insights
Pediatric burn injuries disproportionately affect young children and females, with scalds being the most common cause. This retrospective study analyzed 309 cases over 10 years, revealing key insights into burn incidence and risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric burn injuries
- Public health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Burns are a significant cause of childhood injury globally.
- Understanding the epidemiology of pediatric burns is crucial for prevention and treatment strategies.
- Previous studies highlight variations in burn causes and risk factors across different regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze the incidence, severity, extent, causes, risk factors, and mortality of pediatric burn injuries.
- To identify demographic and etiological patterns of burns in children treated at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal.
- To provide data for targeted prevention and intervention programs for childhood burns.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 309 pediatric burn cases treated between 1989 and 1998.
- Data collected included patient demographics, burn characteristics (severity, extent), cause, and outcome (mortality).
- Statistical analysis was performed to determine incidence, common causes, and risk factors.
Main Results:
- Children under 5 years (76.1%) and females (74.1%) were most commonly affected.
- Scalds (72.5%) were the predominant cause, followed by flame (22.7%) and electrical burns (3.2%).
- The majority of burns involved 0-20% Body Surface Area (BSA), with an overall pediatric burn mortality rate of 7.4%.
Conclusions:
- Young children and females are at higher risk for burn injuries.
- Scald burns are the leading cause of pediatric burns in this population.
- The findings underscore the need for targeted public health initiatives to prevent childhood burns, particularly scalds, in the studied region.
Abstract:
Three hundred and nine children of burns injuries treated over last 10 years (1989-1998) in Kasturba Hospital, Manipal (India) were studied retrospectively and were analysed for incidence, severity, extent, causes, risk factors and overall mortality. Children of age < 5 years were affected more than children of age > 5 years (76.1 vs. 23.9%). Females were affected more than males (74.1 vs. 25.9%). Most of the children received burn injuries in the range of 0 to 20% BSA (63.1%). Scald (72.5%) followed by flame (22.7%) and electrical burn (3.2%) were most common cause of burn injuries. Overall paediatric burn mortality was 7.4%.