Epidemiological study of deaths due to burn injuries in a tertiary care centre of Kalaburagi district

Abstract

Introduction: Injuries due to burns is the fourth most common type of trauma worldwide. In India 7 million people suffer from burn injury, out of which 7 lakh need hospital admission and 2.4 lakh become disabled. Burn injuries have varied aetiological factors. Aims: To study the demographic profile of fatal burn deaths, brought to the mortuary of the District Hospital, Kalaburagi and to find preventive and remedial measures to bring down the incidence. Methodology: The present study is a retrospective study of autopsies performed at District hospital Kalaburagi from January 2018 to December 2018 to assess the pattern of deaths due to burns. Data was analyzed with respect to the age, gender, manner of death, total body surface area involved, survival period and the cause of death. Results: In this study, the majority of deaths due to burns were observed in the age group between 20-40 years maximum cases were in the age group between 21-30 years (50.9%), followed by 31-40 years (27.6%). Female preponderance was seen with 90.2% cases as compared to males with 9.8%.Accidental burning was seen in 21.6% cases followed by suicidal (78.4%).Maximum 51% cases showed total body surface area involvement between 50 – 70%.Maximum survival period was between 24-72hours with 26 cases (51%).The major cause of death was Hypovolaemic shock and Toxaemia 62%cases, followed by Septicemia (21.6%), neurogenic shock in 13.7%, and multi-organ failure in 1.9% cases. Conclusion: The present study helps to provide preventive strategies which should address the hazards for specific burn injuries, education for vulnerable populations and training of communities Burn injuries are a serious public health problem with alarmingly high mortality and morbidity. These injuries are preventable through design and promotion of more aggressive prevention programs especially for flame injuries occurring in the home environment.

Keywords

• burns
• septicaemia
• post-mortem examination
• suicidal