Paediatric burns in Jaipur, India: an epidemiological study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Burn Injuries
• Epidemiology of Burns
• Public Health

Background:

• Burn injuries represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children.
• Understanding the epidemiological factors of pediatric burns is crucial for prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric burn admissions.
• To identify risk factors and common causes of burns in children.
• To examine the relationship between burn characteristics and mortality.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 127 pediatric burn cases admitted to a single burn unit.
• Data collected included patient demographics, burn cause, location, socioeconomic status, and mortality.
• Analysis of seasonal variations, age-specific causes, and burn extent.

Main Results:

• Burns predominantly affected males and occurred during winter months (December-March).
• Majority of burns happened at home, with patients from low socioeconomic backgrounds and larger families.
• Scalds were the primary cause in children under 5, while flames predominated in older children.
• Overall mortality rate was 19.68%.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric burn injuries in this cohort were associated with specific demographic and socioeconomic factors.
• Targeted prevention efforts focusing on home safety and scald prevention in younger children are warranted.
• The findings highlight the need for continued surveillance and intervention for pediatric burn injuries.