An Epidemiological study of Pediatric burns at Goa Medical College and Hospital.

Dr. Rashmin Roy; Dr. Yuri Dias Amborcar

Volume : VIII, Issue : VIII, August - 2019

An Epidemiological study of Pediatric burns at Goa Medical College and Hospital.

Dr. Rashmin Roy, Dr. Yuri Dias Amborcar

Abstract :

With epidemiological data of burns, we understand the situation related to pediatric burns, affected population, gender and age group susceptibility and mechanism of burns. This data helps us to take necessary action for prevention and treatment of burns. Because of the need to establish specialized burns unit in the state, it was essential to have sufficient data related to burns especially for pediatric age group to give specific provisions in the new unit. Methods: The study was conducted to gather data of pediatric burns patients admitted in the Plastic Surgery ward of Goa Medical College and Hospital for a period from June 2015 to March 2018. Demographic characteristics (age, sex), burns related data (incidence, type, mechanism, percentage), and time of presentation, management of burns were noted, studied and compared. Results: A total of 271 patients were treated for burns over a period of 35 months: from June 2015 to April 2018. In this series males (56%) were affected with burns more than females (44%) with 188 patients were less than 5 years of age. All burns had occurred accidentally in domestic environment, with no suicidal or intentional burns. More than 76% of the patients were presented within 6 hours of the incident. 75% of the patients had less than 10% of total body surface area as burn wounds. Scald burns was the most common type treated with collagen application and paraffin gauze dressing. Only 4 patients had deep burns needed surgery in the form of skin grating. 63% of the patients needed treatment on OPD basis or hospital stay of less than 5 days. Mortality was very low about 2.21% in this series.Conclusion: This epidemiologic study guide us to establish a specialized burns unit having good infrastructure, create multi–disciplinary team and strict management protocol so that we can prevent burns incidence, reduce morbidity and mortality due to burns and early rehabilitate patients