A seven-year survey of a burns unit for children, 1954–1960

Abstract

Summary This report, covering a seven-year period in a burns unit for children under modern conditions of hospital accommodation and treatment, emphasises the high mortality from burns involving over one-third body surface area affected by third-degree burns. Eighty-five per cent. of fatal cases had over one-third body surface area burned. The mortality rate from burns up to 20 per cent. surface area was small, under 1 per cent., and with 20 to 30 per cent. surface area burns it was less than 10 per cent. The mortality rate from scalds was low (1·2 per cent.), except in those instances where a large surface area was involved or where there was prolonged immersion. Clothing, however ignited, is the overwhelmingly predominant cause of fatal burns. Flame proofing of clothing prior to purchase, and in the home following washing, would limit the size of burns in children to a surface area which is within the capabilities of modern treatment.