Profile of acute thermal burn admissions to the intensive care unit of a tertiary burn care center in India

Abstract

Aim: To analyze the profile of acute thermal burn patients admitted to intensive care unit of a tertiary burn care center in India. Materials and Methods: Acute thermal burn patients admitted to the burn intensive care unit during June, August and December 2011 representative of summer, monsoon and winter season were included in this study. Observations: Overall 416 patients were admitted during this period. A total of 162 patients fulfilled the study criteria. Females outnumbered male victims. Patients in the age group of 20-40 years were most affected. Burns in females involve greater total body surface area (TBSA). Liquefied petroleum gas stoves, kerosene oil stoves and kerosene oil lamps are the most common causes of burns reporting to our center. Average distance travelled by patients to reach this hospital was 69.4 kilometers. Ten percent of the female thermal burn victims were pregnant and 3% were lactating. Discussion: An education program is needed to make the population aware of various etiological factors causing burns and their prevention. Safer means and practices should be adopted in kitchen. Local health care facility should play a major and proactive role in managing burns. Burn care needs to be decentralized for better management.