Clinical outcomes of pediatric burn injuries: A Single Center Study

Hadiya Maqsood1, Bushra Akram Mughal2, Behram Abbas3

  • 1Hadiya Maqsood, MBBS, MRCSEd, Allied Burn and Reconstructive Surgery Center, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Insights

Pediatric burn injuries, primarily scalds, show good healing potential, especially with conservative treatment. Early assessment of burn type and severity is crucial for effective pediatric burn care and improved healing outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Burn Management
  • Wound Healing

Background:

  • Burns are a major global cause of mortality and disability, disproportionately affecting children in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Household accidents are a primary cause of burn injuries in children under five.
  • Existing global burn registries show data discrepancies, necessitating localized outcome evaluations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate clinical outcomes of pediatric burn injuries.
  • To assess the frequency of healing in pediatric burns.
  • To correlate healing patterns with demographic and clinical variables.

Main Methods:

  • An observational, descriptive, longitudinal study was conducted.
  • Data was prospectively collected from pediatric burn patients over a defined period.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.

Main Results:

  • 104 pediatric patients were included, with a male predominance.
  • Scald burns were the most common etiology (80.8%), with a mean Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) of 16.13%.
  • 71.1% of patients achieved successful healing; scald burns showed higher conservative healing rates (82.2%) compared to flame and electric burns.

Conclusions:

  • Scald burns, despite being common, exhibit better healing potential and outcomes than other burn types.
  • Prompt assessment of burn mechanism and severity is vital for selecting appropriate treatments.
  • Optimizing treatment decisions based on early diagnosis improves healing outcomes in pediatric burn patients.
Abstract