Medicolegal Aspect Analysis of Burn Cases in Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad

Abstract

Background: Owing to the high potential of physical injuries, disabilities and even deaths resulting from burn-related injuries, these are considered as injuries of medico-legal importance. The study aims to investigate the medico-legal aspects of selective cases of burn victims admitted to the Burn unit of Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad. Methodology: This study was conducted at the Burn unit of Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad. The information on burn patients was collected retrospectively from the record for the period of three years from January 2018 to December 2020 from the Burn unit.  The data related to socio-demographic details, site, cause, severity and outcome of burn cases was recorded. Results: Total 418 victims record was evaluated; the highest prevalence of cases was in the age group of 0-10 years (60.6%). Majority; 58.8% of the victims were males. In more than half (52.6%) of the victims, 20% or less body area was burnt. In 34.2% cases, 21-40% area was burnt. About 48.1% of cases were of wet scalds and 40.2% dry flame burns. About 7.6% were cases of electrocution. Male and female burn victims demonstrated statistically significant difference (p<0.05) regarding site of burn, side, source, manner and survival from burn injuries. Conclusion: Males are more affected by burns than their counterpart while children ≤ 10 years are most commonly reported with burn injuries. Wet scald is the most common type of burn while most victims present with ≤20% burnt body area. Key Words: Accidental injuries, Burns, Suicide