Publication:

An experience in the integrated management of paediatric burns in a tertiary care centre: a case series

Paediatric burns are the leading cause of unintentional injuries in children. The leading cause of burns in the majority is scalds (70–85%) followed by flame burns, electrical, and chemical burns. Globally, burn injuries pose a substantial public health challenge, with a high risk of mortality and morbidity, accounting for over 310,000 annual deaths. Six patients of paediatric burn injuries admitted in our tertiary care centre were discussed as case series. All the children were managed by an integrated team of paediatrician, plastic and reconstructive surgeon, anaesthetist and physio therapist. All the children were in the age group between 2 years and 10 years. Five patients had scalds and one had electrical burns. Out of 5 scald burns three children had hot cauldron burns and two children had accidental spill burns. The hospital stay was between 12 days and 36 days. There was no mortality in this case series. Most of the paediatric burns are accidental and hence preventable. Most often it is the parent’s carelessness or oversight which leads to accidental burns in children. We must ensure that not only the children survive the initial injury, but also the morbidity and complications are minimized.