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Hot water burns in Cape Town
1Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
|February 1, 1995
Summary
Scalds are a significant burn injury in South Africa, with assaults being a common cause, particularly affecting the head and neck. Streptococcus infections are prevalent and increasingly resistant to standard antibiotic treatments.
Area of Science:
- Burn research
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Public health
Background:
- Scalds represent a substantial portion of admissions to burn units in South Africa.
- Understanding the causes and patterns of scald injuries is crucial for prevention and treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiology of scald injuries treated at the University of Cape Town Burns Unit.
- To differentiate between accidental scalds and those resulting from assault.
- To investigate the prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of Streptococcus in burn wounds.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of adult patient data admitted for scald treatment between 1985 and June 1992.
- Categorization of scalds into accidental and assault-related injuries.
- Microbiological analysis of burn wound infections, focusing on Beta haemolytic streptococcus.
Main Results:
- A total of 240 adult patients were admitted; 113 accidental scalds and 127 assault-related scalds.
- Accidental scalds predominantly affected the lower body and limbs, while assaults commonly involved the head and neck.
- Beta haemolytic streptococcus was frequently isolated, with 19% requiring clindamycin due to resistance to penicillin and erythromycin.
Conclusions:
- Scald injuries in South Africa have distinct patterns based on etiology, with assaults posing a significant threat, especially to the head and neck.
- The increasing difficulty in eradicating Streptococcus infections highlights a growing challenge in burn wound management.