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Pattern and outcome of children admitted for burns in Benin City, mid-western Nigeria
1Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Insights
Pediatric burn injuries are often preventable. This study highlights flame burns from kerosene and scalds as leading causes in children, emphasizing the need for improved safety and specialized care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric burn injury epidemiology
- Public health and injury prevention
Background:
- Burns are a significant and often preventable cause of injury in children.
- Understanding the specific profiles of pediatric burn cases is crucial for developing effective local prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the characteristics of children admitted for burn injuries.
- To identify common causes, complications, and outcomes of pediatric burns.
- To inform the development of targeted preventive measures and improve burn care.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records of 62 children (aged 0-16 years) admitted for burns.
- Data collected from January 2002 to December 2006 at University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
- Analysis of burn causes, age distribution, injury extent, complications, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Children under three years accounted for 56.5% of cases.
- Flame burns from kerosene explosions (52%) were the leading cause overall; scalds (68.6%) predominated in children under three.
- Wound sepsis (19.4%) and post-burn contractures (9.7%) were common complications; mortality was 3.2% due to sepsis.
- Most patients presented late, with injuries ranging from 6-50% Total Body Surface Area.
Conclusions:
- Urgent attention to burn safety precautions, especially regarding kerosene and petroleum products, is vital.
- Enhanced fire safety awareness, correct first aid, and prompt hospital presentation are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality.
- Establishment of specialized pediatric burn centers is recommended for improved treatment and research.
Abstract:
Children are a vulnerable to burns, an injury, which is often preventable. A study of the profile of cases of children admitted for burns will provide background information to suggest locally doable preventive strategies as well as supply basic information for future reference. We studied the records of 62 children aged 0-16 years, admitted for burns, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, between January 2002 and December 2006. There were 34 male and 28 female children. Children under three years constituted 56.5%. Whereas the leading cause of burns in all the children was flame burns from kerosene explosions (52%), scalds were responsible for 68.6% of cases in those under three. The extent of burn injury ranged from 6 to 50% and most of them presented late. 64.6% were discharged within three weeks. Wound sepsis and post burn contractures were the most frequently encountered complications (19.4% and 9.7% respectively). There were two deaths (3.2%) related to sepsis. Particular attention to burn safety precautions in children (especially, in the >3 years age group), safer storage and dispensing of combustible chemicals particularly petroleum products is advocated. Fire safety awareness, correct first aid measures and early presentation in the hospital will reduce morbidity and mortality. Early physiotherapy and splinting strategies will reduce contractures. There is the need locally for the establishment of specialized burn centres both to treat these children and to stimulate interest in burn management.
