Pediatric flame burn injuries from adulterated kerosene explosion – A public health alert from Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Childhood burns injuries remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Scald injuries had previously been noted to be the predominant aetiologic factor. Burns from kerosene explosions were virtually absent from early epidemiologic studies on burns in Nigeria but have been on a steady rise in the last few years mirroring the rise in kerosene costs. This study aims to highlight the rising incidence of burns from adulterated kerosene explosions among children in Uyo.This was a retrospective study of children aged 3 months – 17 years admitted with burn injuries to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital over the three-year period between November 2018 and October 2021. The demographic characteristics, aetiologic factors, and treatment outcomes were documented using Microsoft Excel. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 25.Sixty-seven cases of pediatric burn injuries were recorded in the period under review accounting for 2.7% of all pediatric emergency admissions. Fifty-eight case records were available for review. Flame burn injuries accounted for 71% of all burn injuries. Kerosene explosions accounted for about 90% of all flame injuries and 64% of all burn injuries. Overall mortality rate was 31% and mortality rate from kerosene explosion burns was 40.5% (p = 0.97). Kerosene was mostly purchased from neighborhood sellers.Flame burn injuries from kerosene explosion have become increasingly prevalent in our society. Factors involved include adulteration of kerosene by sellers with the now cheaper petrol to increase profits, poverty and child neglect. Legislation to punish offenders responsible for adulterating petroleum products and enforcing the child rights act is recommended.