Pediatric burns: Key insights from cohort of 325 patients.

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Burns are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in children, especially in developing countries like India. Unless fatal, burns can lead to lifelong disability, affecting social and psychological well-being of the child. It further exacerbates the financial strain on parents and adversely impacts the mental well-being of siblings.<h4>Aim</h4>To understand the epidemiological profile as well as the psychosocial and economic impact of burns on patients and their families which may help us to devise strategies to manage and prevent these largely avoidable injuries.<h4>Methods</h4>An observational study was conducted at tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of 20 months in which pediatric burn patients of age less than 15 years of age were evaluated. Demographic profile, circumstances of injury, type of burns (scalds, flame burns, electric burns), adult supervision at the time injury, time lapse and condition of patient at initial reporting, severity of burns, length of hospital stay and stay in intensive care unit, surgical procedures performed, outcome, deaths, adverse behavioral changes, financial impact on parents and impact on siblings were studied.<h4>Results</h4>Majority of pediatric burns enrolled in the study were below 5 years of age (63.4%). Male (59.7%) to female (40.3%) ratio was 1.5:1. Scalds were the most common cause in all ages (55.07%). Flame burns (28.6%) and electric burns (16.3%) were more common in older children between age group 5-15 years. Patients who presented early with total body surface area burnt less than 50% had better outcomes. Mean loss of number of working days of parents in our study was 27.77 ± 13.07 days. Most common behavioral alteration reported in patients was irritability and anger (5.18%). Mean number of losses of school days for siblings was 20.59 ± 14.72 days. Multiple behavioral changes were observed in the siblings.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Majority of pediatric burns are caused by preventable factors. Public awareness regarding risk factors and preventive strategies can go a long way in reducing both pediatric disability as well as financial impact on the family.