The records of 168 children managed for burns in a teaching hospital in northwestern Nigeria, between April 1998 and March 2003, were assessed to determine the factors that are responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality in paediatric burns. The causes of burns were hot water in 86 cases (51.2%), flame in 45 (26.8%), hot soup in 32 (19%) and electricity in five (3%). The main complications were wound infections in 109 (64.9%) patients, anaemia in 68 (40.5%), malnutrition in 54 (32.1%), contracture in 50 (29.8%), persistent hypothermia in 27 (16.1%), tetanus in 14 (8.3%) and one case (0.6%) of massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding, possibly as a result of Curling's ulcer.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AtiyehBS, RubeizM, GhanimehG, NasserAN, Al-AmmCA. Management of paediatric burns.Ann Burns Fire Disasters2000; xiii; 136–42
2.
MorrowSE, SmithDL, CairnsBA. Etiology and outcome of paediatric burns.J Paediatr Surg1996; 31; 329–33
3.
SchillerWR. Burn management in children.Pediatr Ann1996; 25; 431–8
4.
LibberSM, StaytonDJ. Childhood burns reconsidered: the child, the family and the burn injury.J Trauma1984; 24; 245–52
5.
OnubaO. Pattern of burns injury in Nigerian children.Trop Doct1988; 18; 106–8
6.
MabogunjeOA, KhwajaMS, LawrieJH. Childhood burns in Zaria, Nigeria.Burns1987; 13; 298–304
7.
DogoD, YaweT, Na'AyaHU. Burns injury in North Eastern Nigeria.Niger J Surg1997; 4; 19–22
8.
AdejuyigbeO, FolayanJO. Childhood burn injuries in Nigeria.Niger Med Pract1991; 22; 35–8
9.
EricksonEJ, MerrellSW, SaffleJR. Differences in mortality from thermal injury between paediatric and adult patients.J Paediatr Surg1991; 26; 821–5
10.
TompkinsRG, RemensnyderJP, BurkeJF. Significant reductions in mortality for children with burns injuries through the use of prompt Escher excision.Ann Surg1988; 208; 577–85
