Scalds - An Epidemiological Study of Last 10 Years

Introduction: Scald is caused by hot liquids and hot vapors. Scalds are frequently seen in our institutions. Scald injuries are mainly seen in children and persons with sensory neuropathies. Most of these injuries are preventable, even after that many of the patients may, however, end with severe morbidity or even death. The aim is to evaluate the epidemiological data of scald at tertiary health centre of central India in last 10 years and correlation between them. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study starting from January 2006 to December 2016 of scald burns was carried out at N.S.C.B. Medical College, Jabalpur, to outline different age, sex, percentage of burns, seasonal variations, and outcome in terms of patient discharged (cured) and expired. Result: Total number of scald patients was 749, out of which male were 492 (65.68%) and female were 257 (34.31%). Scald in age group 0–10 years was most common with 555 patients of total 749. In male of 0–10 years - 354 (71.95%), 11–40 years - 118 (23.98%), 41–60 years - 20 (4.06%), and >60 years - 0 (0%), in female of 0–10 years - 201 (78.21%), 11– 40 years - 41 (15.95%), 40–60 years - 15 (5.83%), and > 60 years - 0 (0%). Percentage of scald in male 0–20% - 314 (63.82%), 20–40% - 147 (29.87%), 40–60% - 19 (3.86%), and >60% - 12 (2.43%), in female 0–20% - 156 (60.70%), 20–40% - 74 (28.79%), 40–60% - 18 (7%), and >60% - 9 (3.5%). Scald in different seasons in winters (November–February) - 285 (57.92%) (in male) and 139 (54.08%) (in female), in summers (March–June) - 88 (17.88%) (in male) and 48 (18.67%) (in female), and in rainy season (July–October) - 119 (24.18%) (in male) and 70 (27.23%) (in female). Scalds in male discharged - 453 (92.08%) and expired - 39 (7.92%) and in female discharged - 235 (91.5%) and expired - 22(8.5%). Conclusion: Majority of the scalds are in pediatric age with less percentage of burn body surface area so can be treated well with less mortality. Scalds are preventable burns just by waring parents and educating people it can be reduced further as prevention is better than cure.