O C Nduagubam1, U C Mba2, O O Onumaegbu3, I I Onah4, K E Chukwubuike5, A I Bisi-Onyemaechi6, S Agwu7. 1. Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, PMB 01660, and ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, PMB 1030 Enugu, Nigeria. Electronic address: obinopunchus@yahoo.com. 2. Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, PMB 01660, and ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, PMB 1030 Enugu, Nigeria; Department of Plastic Surgery, National Orthopaedic Hospital, PMB 01294, Enugu, Nigeria. Electronic address: ndiuwamba@gmail.com. 3. Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, and UNTH Ituku-Ozalla, PMB 01129, Enugu, Nigeria. Electronic address: okechukwu.onumaegbu@unn.edu.ng. 4. Department of Plastic Surgery, National Orthopaedic Hospital, PMB 01294, Enugu, Nigeria; Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, PMB 01660, and ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, PMB 1030 Enugu, Nigeria. Electronic address: anyionah@yahoo.com. 5. Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, PMB 01660, and ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, PMB 1030 Enugu, Nigeria. Electronic address: chukwubuikeonline@yahoo.com. 6. Department of Paeditrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, and UNTH Ituku-Ozalla, PMB 01129, Enugu, Nigeria. Electronic address: Adaobi.bisi-onyemaechi@unn.edu.ng. 7. Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, PMB 01660, and ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, PMB 1030 Enugu, Nigeria. Electronic address: agwus@yahoo.com.
Abstract
Burn injuries contribute significantly to childhood morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to document the pattern of presentation and outcome of pediatric burn injury in Enugu. METHODS: All children with burn injuries over a 7-year period (June 2011 to May 2018) and were managed at three tertiary health institutions, were studied. Information including their socio-demographics, clinical features and treatment outcome were obtained and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. RESULTS: 198 out of 201 records were available for analysis. Most (186; 93.9%) burn injuries occurred at home. Hot liquid (112; 56.7%) was the commonest cause of burn injury. A lot of substances were used topically for first aid, raw eggs (52; 31%) being the commonest. The outcome had significant association with cause of injury, depth of injury, total burn surface area (TBSA), and inhalation injury. Most were safely discharged home while a total of thirteen (6.6%) children died. LA50 was 54.87%, while the maximum TBSA salvaged was 65%. CONCLUSION: Burn injuries in children in this environment remain a serious challenge in the face of widespread lack of awareness regarding safe practices in handling hot and flammable items at home.
Burn injuries contribute significantly to childhood morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to document the pattern of presentation and outcome of pediatric burn injury in Enugu. METHODS: All children with burn injuries over a 7-year period (June 2011 to May 2018) and were managed at three tertiary health institutions, were studied. Information including their socio-demographics, clinical features and treatment outcome were obtained and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. RESULTS: 198 out of 201 records were available for analysis. Most (186; 93.9%) burn injuries occurred at home. Hot liquid (112; 56.7%) was the commonest cause of burn injury. A lot of substances were used topically for first aid, raw eggs (52; 31%) being the commonest. The outcome had significant association with cause of injury, depth of injury, total burn surface area (TBSA), and inhalation injury. Most were safely discharged home while a total of thirteen (6.6%) children died. LA50 was 54.87%, while the maximum TBSA salvaged was 65%. CONCLUSION: Burn injuries in children in this environment remain a serious challenge in the face of widespread lack of awareness regarding safe practices in handling hot and flammable items at home.