TRENDS OF BURN CASES AT MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL IN CENTRAL INDIA DURING THE PERIOD OF MAY 2007 TO APRIL 2009

Total 348 burn cases were admitted at a medical college and hospital in Central India and studied during the period from May 2007 to
April 2009. Out of which 196 patients died during treatment. Most of the burn cases were from rural area. Females outnumbered
males as there were (62.64%) females and (37.36%) males with overall male to female ratio of 1:1.67. Maximum incidence was in the
young adults between the age group of 20-39 years, comprising of (54.59%) cases. Most of the burn cases belong to low socioeconomic
status. In both sexes majority of the burn cases were married. Most of the burn cases sustain flame burns followed by scalds
and electric burns. Flame burns were predominantly observed in females. As per history at the time of admission, most of the burn
cases were accidental, followed by suicidal and homicidal. Among accidental and suicidal burns majority of the cases were females
and all the homicidal burn cases were females. Maximum patients have dermo-epidermal burns. Maximum (54.02%) burn cases had
involved more than 50% of total body surface area. Overall case fatality rate was (56.32%). Case fatality was higher in females
(68.80%) followed by males (35.38%). Case fatality was low in burns involving less than 30% of total body surface area. Case fatality
was highest in suicidal burn cases (82.60%) followed by homicidal (66.66%) and accidental (50%). Commonest cause of death was
septicemia alone or in combination with other causes constituting (84.69%) cases of total thermal burns.