Burns & Plastic Unit, Department of Surgery, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH)/College of Medicine, Lagos State University (LASUCOM), Ikeja-Lagos, Nigeria.
Burns. 2011 May;37(3):528-34. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2010.09.015. Epub 2010 Dec 7.
Children are the most risk prone in cases of burns. The previous epidemiologic study of paediatric burns in Lagos-Nigeria was carried four decades ago. A new study becomes necessary in view of the increasing incidences of petroleum related fire disasters in Nigeria.
: Children up to the age of 14 years admitted for major burns at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja-Lagos, Nigeria between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2008 were studied. Information about the demographics, mechanism/circumstances of burns, associated injuries, surface extent (TBSA) and depth, modes of management and outcome, length of admission, and post mortem findings in cases of death were collected.
: A total of 298 children with major burns were seen; 198 were males and 100 females. The ages ranged from 1 day to 14 years with mean of 4.56 ± 3.95 years. Forty percent of the cases occurred among the toddlers and 25.5% in the 2-5 years age group. Fire was the leading cause of burns, occurring in 198 (66.4%) cases. The TBSA ranged from 1% to 100% with mean of 29.67 ± 21.98. The mortality rate was 29.9%. Autopsy showed asphyxia as the primary cause of death in 14 (48.27%) cases, multiple organ dysfunctions in 27.59% and septicaemia in 13.79%.
This study identifies the main causes of paediatric burns and the major factors responsible for morbidity and mortality at the present time in a low income country. The level of awareness about burns prevention among the populace and health care facilities should be improved.
在烧伤病例中，儿童是最易受伤害的群体。上一次对尼日利亚拉各斯儿童烧伤的流行病学研究是在四十年前进行的。鉴于尼日利亚石油相关火灾事故的发生率不断上升，有必要进行新的研究。
在 2004 年 1 月 1 日至 2008 年 12 月 31 日期间，在拉各斯州立大学教学医院（LASUTH）接受主要烧伤治疗的 14 岁以下儿童被纳入研究。收集了有关人口统计学、烧伤机制/情况、相关损伤、烧伤面积（TBSA）和深度、管理方式和结果、住院时间以及死亡病例的尸检结果等信息。
共收治 298 例儿童重度烧伤患者，其中男性 198 例，女性 100 例。年龄从 1 天到 14 岁不等，平均年龄为 4.56 ± 3.95 岁。40%的病例发生在幼儿期，25.5%发生在 2-5 岁年龄组。火灾是导致烧伤的主要原因，共 198 例（66.4%）。TBSA 从 1%到 100%不等，平均为 29.67 ± 21.98。死亡率为 29.9%。尸检显示，14 例（48.27%）的主要死亡原因是窒息，27.59%是多器官功能障碍，13.79%是败血症。
本研究确定了目前在低收入国家儿童烧伤的主要原因，以及导致发病率和死亡率的主要因素。应提高民众和医疗机构对烧伤预防的认识。
