Abstract
Introduction: In developing countries like Nepal burn deaths are a major public health problem due to their increased mortality, morbidity and long-term disability. A few clinical studies on burns have been reported from Nepal however, autopsy based studies on burns are limited.
 Objectives: To study the socio-demographic characteristics of victims of burns and evaluate the cause and magnitude of fatal burn injuries retrospectively.
 Methodology: A two years retrospective analysis of burn deaths brought for autopsy was conducted from January 2017 to December 2018 in a central level hospital of Nepal.
 Results: Out of 775 total cases autopsied 38 (4.90%) cases were burn related deaths. The majority of the deaths 17(44.70%) occurred in the age group 21-30 years with a preponderance in females 22(57.89%). Majority of the victims were married females 25(65.78%) and most of them were housewives 14(36.84%). Flame burn 23(60.52%) was the most common cause of all burns. The Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) Burn between 50-69% was observed in majority of the cases 27(71.05%).Most of the victims 15(39.47%) survived over 10 days post injury. Burn incidents were mainly accidental 33(86.84%) in nature followed by suicidal burns 5(13.15%). The main cause of burn death was septicemic shock 16(42.10%) followed by neurogenic shock 10(26.31%).
 Conclusion: The results of this study show that burns injuries are mostly accidental in nature; therefore, the risks of burn injuries should be rightly addressed and appropriate burn prevention strategies should be developed to reduce the frequency and burn related deaths.
Highlights
Burns are one of the highly destruc ve injuries, causing deaths and major economic, psychological, and long-term consequences.[1]
The results of this study show that burns injuries are mostly accidental in nature; the risks of burn injuries should be rightly addressed and appropriate burn preven on strategies should be developed to reduce the frequency and burn related deaths
The present study comprised of 38 autopsy cases of burns out of total 775 autopsies conducted during the period of January 2017 to December 2019.The vic ms aged between 7 to 75 years with female preponderance 22(57.89%)
Summary
Burns are one of the highly destruc ve injuries, causing deaths and major economic, psychological, and long-term consequences.[1]. The majority of cases (60.4%) were due to hot liquid and/or hot objects.4Deaths from burns are normally accidental in nature ; it might be of suicidal or homicidal origin. Homicidal burning is unusual, yet it is found in situa ons where paraffin or some other inflammable material is thrown over vic ms and their apparel and ignited.[5] It is common for an offender to try to discard the body of the vic m by the fireplace to hide the crime. Some people might cause burn injuries on a dead body and a er ward produce it before the police to assist a misleading allega on of homicide against foe. The present study is conducted to analyze the epidemiology, ae ology, causes and manner of death in autopsied burn cases in Morgue of Western Regional Hospital of Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) which is one of the central level hospitals in Nepal
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
