[Management of thermal severe burns in children in Le Dantec University Teaching Hospital]

Bums in children are serious public health problem. Burns management in developing countries encounters huge problems at any stage. The goals of this study were to descrive the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic characterics.

In the university Teaching Hospital of Dakar from January to December 2003, we conducted a retrospective survey of 41 patients less than 16 years admitted for severe thermal burns. We carried a year retrospective study in ICU and pediatric surgery unit of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital. Were involved all. The following parameters were studied: age, sex, mechanism and circumstances of the burns, period time between the injury and the admission, clinical status of the patient, management and outcome.

The age range between 5 days and 13 years, 47.72% are less than 3 years. The average period before admission was 33 hours (2 hours to 7 days). The accident occurs in 75% of cases in the kitchen. Bum by hot water was the most frequent mechanism with a percentage of 62%. Areas interested the whole body with frequent face localisation (n=18) and the perineal region (n=22). Immediate complications were shock in 37% of children and acute respiratory failure in 7 patients. Fluids and electrolytes resuscitation using Parkland formula (75%) or Carvajal formula (25%). Feeding was done to enteral route. Spontaneous epitheliasation through secondary heeling was the main therapeutic attitude, skin grafting was performed in 10 childrens. Total mortality was 18.18%; These death concerns patients for whom the UBS score range between 75 and 140 UB and the ABSI score between 9 and 12. Sepsis was the direct main cause of death. Sequellaes were jointed a nd facial contractures.

The authors emphasize on the need in setting up adequate preventive measures towards high risk population (under 3 years), and specialized unit for adapted management.