Epidemiology of paediatric burns in Indore, India.

A retrospective study was carried out based on 110 paediatric burns (0-14 years) seen at the Burn unit, Choithram Hospital & Research Centre, Indore over a period of 7 years (1993-1999). Epidemiological data included age, sex, seasonal variation, place of burn and the cause and mode of burn. Hospitalised paediatric burns constituted 13.5% of total burn accidents. These children were categorised into three groups, the infants and toddlers (0-2 years), early childhood (>2-6 years) and late childhood (>6-14 years). In the first two groups scalding was the predominant cause of injury while in late childhood there were many more flame and electric burns. Males were mainly affected. Most of the burns (53.6%) occurred in the winter season between October and February. Ninety-five percent of accidents occurred at home. The overall mortality rate was 21.8%. An intense campaign to make people aware of the risk factors and their avoidance is required to reduce the number of burn accidents in children.