Severe Burns as a Consequence of Epilepsy in a Rural Community of North Eastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Objective: Epilepsy; a common clinical disorder usually presents with generalized tonic clonic seizures resulting in a fall and loss of consciousness. Seizures occurring near a burning agent may lead to a fall onto the burning agent and result in severe burns. A prospective study of all patients who sustained burns during an epilepsy seizure presenting to Federal Medical Center Azare; Bauchi State; Nigeria between January 2003 and June 2005 was conducted. Methods: The age; sex; place of incidence; site and extent of injury; cause of burns and treatment outcome were analyzed. Results: A total of 79 patients presented with burns during the study period; nine (11) were as a result of an epileptic seizure. The nine patients comprised of 6 adults and 3 children. Majority were mothers and their children. The place of accident was the home in 7 patients while 2 occurred on the farm. Seven were flame burns and two scalds. Conclusion: This study highlights that epilepsy is an important cause of severe burns in our environment. Women at home and children dependent on them are more at risk hence the need for public enlightenment