Etiological & clinical spectrum of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) related burns: A three-year study from a tertiary care burn centre in New Delhi

Abstract

Burns, an endemic public health problem has had a dynamic epidemiology in India, in sync with economic and social changes. In the last decade a major shift of kitchen fuel usage from kerosene to the Liquefied Petroleum Gas has resulted in an increase in the incidence of burns from LPG mishaps. This prospective descriptive study conducted in a tertiary care burn centre in an urban area aims to determine the causes of LPG related burns, its injury profile, identify the population at risk and also to determine the level of knowledge of users regarding the safety issue with LPG usage. In the study LPG burns accounted for 52.3% of the admitted flame burns. On the whole there were 33 incidents of LPG mishaps involving multiple victims. Most common age group affected was 26–50 years. Leakage from larger cylinders was more common and malfunction of valve/regulator was the most common cause. Level of knowledge was dismally low across all socioeconomic strata.Our study highlights impact of changing socioeconomic pattern of the country on burns epidemiology and the glaring lack of public awareness regarding safe management principles.