Neonatal burn injuries: an agony for the newborn as well as the burn care team

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Neonatal Care
• Burn Injury Research

Background:

• Neonatal burn injuries pose significant challenges in patient management.
• Understanding the epidemiology and causes of these injuries is crucial for prevention and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the characteristics and outcomes of neonatal burn injuries.
• To identify common causes, affected areas, and treatment modalities for burns in neonates.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 11 neonates managed for burn injuries.
• Data collected included age, gender, cause of burn, total body surface area (TBSA) burnt, affected areas, and treatment received.

Main Results:

• The majority of neonates were male (72.7%) and presented in winter.
• Accidental direct contact with room heaters was the most common cause (36.3%).
• Face/head and neck (10 neonates) were the most frequently affected areas, with a mean TBSA burnt of 18.72% and a 27.2% in-hospital mortality rate.

Conclusions:

• Neonatal burns, particularly in winter, require prompt and specialized care.
• Early wound excision and grafting are common surgical interventions.
• The high mortality rate underscores the severity of neonatal burn injuries and the need for preventative strategies.