Incidence of post burn septicemia at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

ABSTRACT

A severe burn injury is a life threatening incident to the patients in many ways and infection is one of the most common complications of burns. This prospective study was conducted to assess the incidence, magnitude and profile of post burn septicemia in burn cases coming to Government Medical College Hospital, Chandigarh. During the one year study period, a total of 89 cases of burns were admitted, with an overall male to female ratio of 1 1.14. Septicemia was seen in 60% cases of which 28% were males and 72% were females; incidence of septicemia was 40% in males and 73% in females, respectively. Fifty-two percent of the septicemic patients were from rural areas, with 71% incidence of septicemia. Flame burns were seen in 96% cases studied, of which 66% suffered septicemia. Eighty-eight percent had suffered accidental burns and they had 58% incidence of septicemia. The mean age of the septicemic patients who survived was 26.8 years and it was 30.2 years in the fatal cases. Mean TBSA was 37% in the septicemic patients who survived and it was 68% in the fatal cases.