Clinico-pathological profile in deaths due to burns.

Burn injuries occur universally and have plagued mankind since antiquity till the present day. Burns represent an extremely stressful experience for both the burn victims as well as their families. An extensive burn profoundly affects the patient's physique, psyche, financial situation and family. Patients with extensive burns frequently die, and for those with lesser injury, physical recovery is slow and painful. In addition to their dramatic physical effects, burn injuries frequently cause deleterious psychological complications. In all societies including developed or developing countries, burns constitute, a medical and psychological problem, but also have severe economic and social consequences not only to them, but also to their family and society ingeneral.24% cases were not hospitalized. 40% cases died within 24 hours of sustaining burns. 38% cases were unconscious before death. 66% cases had given dying declaration Mechanical injuries were present in 10% cases. 84% cases of total cases were alleged cases of accident. The major cause of death was Septicemic shock in 56% cases.

A two-year burns fatality study.

A severe burn injury is the most devastating injury a person can sustain and yet hope to survive. It is a common catastrophe today as burn injury cases are one of the common emergencies admitted to any hospital. There are several social, economic, cultural and psychological factors interplaying which influence the reporting, treatment, management and if the patient dies the further investigations. As the etiological factors of burn injuries vary considerably in different communities, careful analysis of the epidemiological features in every community is needed before a sound prevention programme can be planned and implemented. When stratified by age, more females were found in most age groups. Most burns were domestic, with cooking being the most prevalent activity. The maximum incidence of burn injuries in males were noted in the age group of 21-30 years. 56% cases who suffered burns were housewives.26% females had 91-100% burns. Smell of kerosene was present in 4% cases. Maximum burns were of 3rd degree with 28% males and 54% females. Head & neck were involved in 94% cases Extremities were involved in all cases.