Childhood burns in South Eastern Nigeria
Afr. j. paediatri. surg. (Online)
; 6(1): 24-27, 2009. figures, tables
Article
in English
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1257515
Responsible library:
CG1.1
ABSTRACT
Background:
Burns injuries are recognized as a major health problem worldwide. In children and; particularly; in our environment where poverty; ignorance and disease are still high; they constitute significant morbidity and mortality. Previous studies on this topic in parts of Nigeria either lumped adults and children together or were retrospective. We; therefore; prospectively studied the current trends in burns in children. Patients andMethods:
This prospective study of burns spanned over a period of 18 months (June 2006-December 2007) at the Paediatric Surgery Units of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital; Orlu; and the Federal Medical Centre; Owerri; Imo State. Data were collected and analysed for age; sex; cause/type of burn; place of burn; presence or absence of adult/s; initial prehospital intervention; interval between injury and presentation; surface area and depth of burn and treatment and outcome.Results:
Fifty-three patients were studied; 31 (58.4) were male and 22 (41.6) were female (MF = 1.41). Patients mostly affected were aged 2 years and below. The most common cause of burns was hot water in 31 (58.5) patients. The vast majority of these injuries happened in a domestic environment (92.5) and in the presence of competent adult/s (88.7). Outcome of treatment was good there were two (3.8) deaths and 46 (86) patients had complete recovery.Conclusion:
Burns is still a major health problem among children in south eastern Nigeria. Fortunately; outcome of appropriate treatment is good. However; we think that poor safety consciousness among parents is a major predisposing factor. Public enlightenment on measures to ensure safe home environment may be necessary to avoid or limit childhood burns
Full text:
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Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Therapeutics
/
Burns
/
Accidents, Home
/
Hospitals, Teaching
/
Nigeria
Type of study:
Observational study
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
/
Infant, Newborn
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
English
Journal:
Afr. j. paediatri. surg. (Online)
Year:
2009
Type:
Article
Institution/Affiliation country:
Department of Surgery, Paediatric Surgery Unit, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri/NG
/
Department of Surgery, Paediatric Surgery Unit, Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu/NG
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