[ epidemiological data of children burns in Tunis. about 134 cases]

ABSTRACT

Burns injuries represented the most children common domestic accident which can be responsible of a dramatic consequences. To analyse the epidemiological data and preventive aspects of this victims, a retrospective study is reported between 1 January and 31 December 2006 concerning 134 children who were examined during this period in the emergency of the surgery department [B] of the children Hospital of Tunis. In 43 cases, a hospitalisation was necessary. The mean age of the patients was 36 months. The accident occurs in the house in 99 per cent of cases, especially in the kitchen in 93 per cent. The most common agents were scalding liquid in 89.5 per cent followed by flames in 8 percent. The mean total burns surface areas was 4 per cent for the non-hospitalised children and 14 per cent for those whose been hospitalised, 16 per cent of this children developed an infection of the burns injuries during their hospitalisation. In 3 cases an amputation was necessary due to a third degrees burn with carbonisation of the members. One patient died 48hrs after his admission by a respiratory distress. The children burn injuries can be considerably reduced by preventive measures and active public health programs to promote immediate cooling of burns with cool water which is at least as important as subsequent medical and surgical treatment in determining the outcome of burns in children