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Pediatric burns mortality risk factors in a developing country's tertiary burns intensive care unit

Pius Agbenorku1, Manolo Agbenorku, Papa Kwesi Fiifi-Yankson

  • 1Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology Kumasi, Ghana ; Department of Surgery, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology Kumasi, Ghana ; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology Kumasi, Ghana ; School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology Kumasi, Ghana ; Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology Kumasi, Ghana.

International Journal of Burns and Trauma
|July 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Young children under 6 years old, scald burns from hot liquids, extensive burns (over 36% TBSA), and inhalation injuries significantly increase pediatric burn mortality in Ghana. These factors are crucial for targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric burn care
  • Public health in developing nations
  • Trauma surgery

Background:

  • Pediatric burn injuries present a significant public health challenge, particularly in middle-income countries.
  • Identifying specific mortality risk factors is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify key risk factors associated with mortality in pediatric burn patients in Ghana.
  • To provide data that can inform clinical practice and public health initiatives.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study was conducted using data from pediatric burn admissions at the Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Burns Unit (RPSBU), Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Ghana.
  • Data from 197 patients admitted between May 2009 and April 2012 were analyzed, including demographics, burn etiology, Total Burned Surface Area (TBSA), and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • The overall pediatric burn mortality rate was 21.3% (42 out of 197 patients).
  • Identified mortality risk factors included: younger age (under 6 years), scald burns (hot water/soup), larger burn surface area (TBSA >36%), and inhalation injury.
  • Scald injuries were the most common cause of burns (73.8%).

Conclusions:

  • Age, scald etiology, extent of TBSA, and inhalation injury are significant predictors of mortality in pediatric burn patients in Ghana.
  • These findings offer critical guidance for healthcare professionals managing pediatric burns in similar settings.
  • Targeted interventions focusing on these risk factors can potentially reduce pediatric burn mortality.
Abstract

Keywords:
Pediatric burnsburns mortalitydeveloping inhalation injurymortality risk factorsscald

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