A STUDY OF PEDIATRIC ELECTRICAL BURNS IN A TERTIARY BURN CARE CENTRE

Dr Angeline Selvaraj; Dr S K S Sutha S Sellamoni; Dr Nirmala Ponnambalam

Volume : VIII, Issue : I, January - 2018

A STUDY OF PEDIATRIC ELECTRICAL BURNS IN A TERTIARY BURN CARE CENTRE

Dr Angeline Selvaraj, Dr S K S Sutha S Sellamoni, Dr Nirmala Ponnambalam

Abstract :

Background: Electrical burns are known cause of morbidity and mortality in a burn unit. Burn in Pediatric age group is more traumatic, as the deformity they cause has lifelong consequences. This article is to analyze the source of electrical burn injuries that were managed in a tertiary burn care Centre and the procedures that were done and the outcome of the treatment for these victims.

Methods: All the pediatric patients who were admitted in the burns unit of Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, Chennai, in 2015 were analyzed. The electrical burn victims of pediatric age group were analyzed for the type of electrical burn– high voltage, low voltage contact or flash burn, BSA, age, sex, body areas involved and the outcome.

Results: Total admissions in burns unit from 1.01.2015 to 31.12.2015 were 1806. Out of this, 313 were in the pediatric age group. In the study period the total number of electrical burns was 78. Among these, 19 were in the pediatric age group.

Conclusions: Though electrical burns are of lesser incidence in the pediatric age group, compared to scalds and flame burns, there is a relative rise in the occurrence of electrical injuries in the pediatric age group. Hence it requires creation of awareness and strict implementation of safety norms for prevention.