Patterns and management outcome of paediatrics burn in a general surgical department: experience from a secondary referral hospital.

Abstract

Burns are considered the fourth most common type of traumatic injury worldwide with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to disclose the incidence, etiological factors, treatment and outcome of paediatric burns in Sudan. This is a retrospective hospital-based study, conducted during 2016-2019. Patients who presented with burn injuries and managed in the hospital were included in the study. Flowchart sheets were used to collect the data. Then, it was entered and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21 statistical software (IBM Corporation, Chicago, IL). The total number of patients who fulfill our criteria is 85 with a median age of 4 years (7 months-15 years). Sixty-five percent of them were under 5 years with male predominance (55%). Most patients' burns occurred at home. The median percentage of burn is 18% (2%-90%) which is caused by scalding burn among 55.3% followed by the flame burn in 41.2% of patients. Regarding fluid management, 60% received fluid. Open dressing for burn wounds was done for 75% and close dressing among 15% of patients. More than 80% of the patients in this study were treated and discharged in a good condition while the mortality was 5.9%. This study showed the significant burden of paediatric burns management on general surgery units in a referral hospital. Therefore, equipping the hospital and founding these specialities will decrease this load and will improve the outcome.