Predictors of mortality of pediatric burn injury in the Douala General Hospital, Cameroon

Survival Status and Predictors of Mortality Among Pediatrics Burn Victims Admitted to Burn Centers of Addis Ababa Public Hospitals, Ethiopia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background. Burn is a major public health problem in pediatric populations worldwide. This study aimed to determine the survival status and predictors of mortality among pediatric burn victims admitted to burn centers in Ethiopia. Methods. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on the patient charts of 412 pediatric patients with burn injuries at burn centers in Addis Ababa from the 1st of January 2016 to the 30th of December 2019. Data was entered into the Epi-Data manager. Then, the data was exported to STATA V-14 for cleaning and analysis. For the analysis, the proportional hazard model was used. After the model fitness test, variables with a P-value of <.25 in the bivariate analysis were fitted to the multivariate analysis. Finally, statistical significance was decided at a P-value of <.05, and the hazard ratio was used to determine the strength of the association. Result. The study reported an overall incidence rate of 2.4 per 1000 child days. Additionally, it revealed that the median hospital length of stay was 25.00 days (95% CI: 21.57, 28.45). During the follow-up period, 8.25% of deaths occurred among pediatric patients with burn injuries. Specifically, having a full-thickness burn (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 2.51, 95% CI: 1.12, 5.62) and neck burn (AHR 2.82, 95% CI: 1.04, 7.68) were identified as significant predictors contributing to increased mortality among burn-injured pediatric individuals. Conclusion. The study highlighted significant mortality rates among pediatric patients suffering from burn injuries. Based on the findings a full-thickness burn injury and burns in the neck area are independent predictors of mortality in pediatric burn patients. Based on the identified predictors of mortality in pediatric burn patients, clinicians should prioritize early recognition, prompt intervention, multidisciplinary management, vigilant monitoring, and preventive strategies to optimize outcomes and reduce mortality rates in this vulnerable population.

The treatment effect of operative intervention for flame versus scald burns in resource-limited settings

INTRODUCTION

In resource-limited environments, it is critical to triage burn patients most likely to benefit from operative intervention. This study sought to identify patients with a more significant treatment effect after operative intervention following burn injury at a tertiary burn center in Lilongwe, Malawi.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of burn patients presenting to Kamuzu Central Hospital from 2011 to November 2022. We compared patients based on whether they had scald or flame burns. Using logistic regression, we estimated the adjusted treatment effect of operative intervention on in-hospital mortality. Operative intervention was defined as burn excision and debridement with or without skin grafting.

RESULTS

We included 3266 patients. 2099 (64.7 %) patients had a scald burn, and 1144 (35.3 %) had a flame burn. 630 patients (19.3 %) underwent surgery. Crude mortality among all patients was 18.1 %, and for patients who underwent surgery, it was 9.7 %. When adjusted for total body surface area burned (TBSA) and age, the average treatment effect of surgery on mortality was - 0.07 (95 % CI - 0.11, - 0.033) for patients with scald burns and - 0.17 (95 % CI - 0.22, - 0.11) for patients with flame burns (Fig. 1). For patients with flame burns, the adjusted odds ratio of death associated with surgery was 0.26 (95 % CI 0.17, 0.39).

CONCLUSIONS

Operative intervention confers a survival advantage for patients with flame burns, and the average treatment effect was more significant compared to patients with scald burns. In general, in resource-limited environments flame burns should be prioritized for surgery over scald burns to improve patient outcomes.

The national burden of mortality and its associated factors among burn patients in Ethiopia. A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite all advances in burn prevention, treatment, acute care, and rehabilitation, burn injuries continue to cause significant mortality and disability in Ethiopia. Thus, this review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the pooled prevalence and the determinants of mortality in Ethiopia.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A structured search of databases (Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, EMBASE, HINARI, and Web of Science) was undertaken. Selection, screening, reviewing, and data extraction were done by independent reviewers using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. A random-effects meta-analysis model with a 95 % confidence interval was computed to estimate the pooled effect size (i.e., prevalence and odds ratio). Publication bias was checked using the funnel plot, Egger's, and Begg's tests. The heterogeneity of studies was assessed using I2 statistics. Subgroup analysis based on the region and age group was done.

RESULTS

This systematic review and meta-analysis included a total of ten studies. The pooled prevalence of mortality among patients with burn injuries in Ethiopia was found to be 6.01 % (95 % CI: 2.75, 9.26). Subgroup analysis based on the region showed that the pooled prevalence of mortality was highest in the Oromia region (12.02 %), followed by the Amhara region (8.5 %). Additionally, subgroup analysis based on patients' ages revealed that the pooled estimates of mortality among all age groups and children were 5.18 % and 7.91 %, respectively. The meta-analysis demonstrated that the extent of burn > 10 % TBSA (OR = 5.04, 95 % CI: 2.72, 9.35), presence of comorbidity (OR = 4.01, 95 % CI: 1.44, 11.18), and presence of a 3rd degree burn (OR = 10.64, 95 % CI: 2.82, 40.16) were significantly associated with mortality among burn patients.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The national prevalence of mortality among burn patients in Ethiopia was high. The extent of burn, presence of comorbidity, and 3rd degree burns were significant predictors of mortality. We strongly recommend that health care workers give special attention to burn patients with greater extent and depth of burn, and for those who have comorbid diseases.

Machine learning models for early prediction of mortality risk in patients with burns: A single center experience

Mortality rate is considered as the most important outcome measure for assessing the severity of burn injury. A scale or model that accurately predicts burn mortality can be useful to determine the clinical course of burn injuries, discuss treatment options and rehabilitation with patients and their families, and evaluate novel, innovative interventions for the injuries. This study aimed to use machine learning models to predict the mortality risk of patients with burns after their first admission to the center and to compare the performances of these models. Overall, 1064 patients hospitalized in burn intensive care and burn service units between 2016 and 2022 were included in the study. In total, 40 parameters, including demographic characteristics and biochemical parameters of all patients, were analyzed in the study. Furthermore, the dataset was randomly divided into two clusters with 70% of the data used for artificial neural networks (ANNs) training and 30% for model success testing. The ANN model proposed in this study showed high success across all machine learning methods tried in different variants, with an accuracy of 95.92% in the test set. Machine learning models can be used to predict the mortality risk of patients with burns. This study may help validate the use of machine learning models for applications in clinical practice. Conducting multicenter studies will further contribute to the literature.

Food Security as a Predictor of Global Pediatric Postburn Mortality

Food security (FS) is defined as access to sufficient and nutritious food. Children, especially those in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs), are disproportionately affected by low FS. We hypothesized high FS would be predictive of decreased pediatric postburn mortality in LMICs. Publicly-available, deidentified datasets were obtained from the World Health Organization's Global Burn Registry (GBR) and Economist Intelligence Unit's Global FS Index (GFSI). The GFSI calculates FS scores annually from intergovernmental organization data reviewed by a panel of experts. FS scores are reported on a 0 to 100 scale with 100 indicating the highest FS. Patients aged 0 to 19 yr were included; after linking GBR and GFSI datasets, countries with <100 burn patients were excluded. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses. Multiple logistic regression controlling for confounders was used to quantify associations between mortality and FS score. Significance was set at P < 0.05. From 2016 to 2020, there were 2,246 cases including 259 deaths (11.5%) over nine countries. Those who died had a higher median age (7 [IQR 2, 15] vs 3 [2, 6] years, P < 0.001), higher proportion of females (48.6% vs 42.0%, P =0.048), and lower median FS score (55.7 [IQR 45.3, 58.2] vs 59.8 [IQR 46.7, 65.7], P < 0.001). Increasing FS score was associated with decreased odds of postburn mortality [multivariable odds ratio 0.78 (95% confidence interval 0.73 to 0.83), P < 0.001]. With the association between FS and mortality, international efforts to increase FS in LMICs may help improve pediatric burn patient survival.

Pain Management in Pediatric Burns: A Review of the Science behind It

Pediatric burns are a significant medical issue that can have long-term effects on various aspects of a child's health and well-being. Pain management in pediatric burns is a crucial aspect of treatment to ensure the comfort and well-being of young patients. The causes and risk factors for pediatric burns vary depending on various factors, such as geographical location, socioeconomic status, and cultural practices. Assessing pain in pediatric patients, especially during burn injury treatment, poses several challenges. These challenges stem from various factors, including the age and developmental stage of the child, the nature of burn injuries, and the limitations of pain assessment tools. In pediatric pain management, various pain assessment tools and scales are used to evaluate and measure pain in children. These tools are designed to account for the unique challenges of assessing pain in pediatric patients, including their age, developmental stage, and ability to communicate effectively. Pain can have significant physical, emotional, and psychological consequences for pediatric patients. It can interfere with their ability to engage in daily activities, disrupt sleep patterns, and negatively affect their mood and behavior. Untreated pain can also lead to increased stress, anxiety, and fear, which can further exacerbate the pain experience. Acute pain, which is short-term and typically associated with injury or illness, can disrupt a child's ability to engage in physical activities and impede their overall recovery process. On the other hand, chronic pain, which persists for an extended period, can have long-lasting effects on physical functioning and quality of life in children. The psychological consequences of burns can persist long after the physical wounds have healed, leading to ongoing emotional distress and impaired functioning. Multimodal pain management, which involves the use of multiple interventions or medications targeting different aspects of the pain pathway, has gained recognition as an effective approach for managing pain in both children and adults. However, it is important to consider the specific needs and considerations of pediatric patients when developing evidence-based guidelines for multimodal pain management in this population. Over the years, there have been significant advances in pediatric pain research and technology, leading to a better understanding of pain mechanisms and the development of innovative approaches to assess and treat pain in children. Overall, pain management in pediatric burns requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions.

Facteurs associés à une issue défavorable chez les brûlés hospitalisés

BACKGROUND

In 2015, Médecins Sans Frontières opened the Arche Kigobe Trauma Centre in Bujumbura, Burundi, to treat victims of violence, and in 2016 extended the admission criteria to burns, without a specialised unit to treat these.

OBJECTIVE

To study the factors associated with an unfavourable outcome (death, referrals and discharges against medical advice) in burn patients hospitalised at this centre.

METHOD

This is a retrospective descriptive and analytical study of hospitalised burn patients.

RESULTS

From 2016 to 2020, 477 patients were hospitalised at the Centre for burns, of whom 301 (63%) were less than 5 years old, 169 (35%) were female, and 48 (10%) had an unfavourable outcome. Anaemia (OR 11, 95% CI 2.7-48), infection (OR 11, 95% CI 5.7-22), and smoke inhalation (OR 28, 95% CI 7-111) were among the main factors associated with an unfavourable outcome.

CONCLUSION

To minimise adverse outcomes related to inhalation and infection in burn patients, a septic isolation circuit, training, a bacteriology service and continuous positive airway pressure could be implemented even in resource-limited settings.

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of 5,569 Pediatric Burns in Central China From 2013 to 2019

Background

Pediatric burns of all the ages are prevalent worldwide, posing a severe health risk to children. This study aims to examine pediatric burns' clinical characteristics and epidemiology in central China.

Methods

The pediatric patients of the Burn Research Center, Department of the First People's Hospital of Zhengzhou City from 2013 to 2019 were retrospectively studied and the relevant data were collected from the hospitalized medical records [e.g., demographic, etiology, length of stay (LOS), age, gender, burn area and depth, number of surgeries, cost, and outcome].

Results

A total of 5,569 pediatric burn patients were included, accounting for 43.9% of the total burn population. Electric burns represented a relatively small proportion (1.17%) but were more likely to lead to disabilities or death than scalds (90.63%) and flames (5.12%). The median age was 2 years [interquartile range (IQR): 1–4] and the boys/girls ratio ranged from 1.3:1 to 1.6:1. The most commonly burnt anatomic sites were the limbs (38.3%), with a median %TBSA (total body surface area) of 6 (IQR: 4–10). The complications of shock and pneumonia accounted for 7.6 and 19.2%, respectively. The peak months of pediatric burns included January, May, and August and the rural/urban ratio reached 1.61:1. The percentage of burn wounds treated surgically increased considerably from 2013 to 2019 (3.8 vs. 37.8%). The median hospital LOS was 15 days (IQR: 8–28 days), with the three high-risk factors (e.g., more surgeries, more %TBSA, full-thickness skin burns). The median cost of hospitalization was 1,511 USD (IQR: 848–2,648 USD) and the main risk factors consisted of full-thickness burns, more %TBSA, longer LOS, and more surgical procedures. Among all the patients, LA50 was 78.63% (95% CI = 75.12–83.45) and the overall mortality reached 0.1% since seven deaths were recorded.

Conclusion

Scalds, flames, contact, and chemicals are the main causes of burns among children aged 1–5 years in central China. Accordingly, various prevention strategies should be employed depending upon the cause of the burn.

Clinical Profile of Pediatric Burn Patients in Burn Care Unit of Halibet Hospital in 2018: Asmara, Eritrea

Background

Pediatric burn injuries result in severe and long-term complications in the developing world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Accurate data on burn injuries are either unavailable or incomplete in Eritrea.

Objective

The objective of this study was to define the clinical characteristics of pediatric burn injuries in the Burn Care Unit of Halibet hospital in 2018 in Asmara, Eritrea.

Methods

The study design was a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study. The medical records of pediatric patients aged 15 years and below admitted to the Burn Care Unit of Halibet hospital between January 2018 and December 2018 were assessed.

Results

In the study period, 524 children with burn injuries were admitted to the Unit. The mean age of the study group was 4.2±3.7 years. Nearly 75% of the patients were in the age group 1–5 years. In 95.3% of the patients, scalds were the most common type of burn with burn injury occurring mostly indoor in 98.1% of cases. The average length of hospital stay was 4.6±8.4 days with a median of 1 day. In 94.8% of the patients, the body surface area involved was 1–10%, and the most body part involved was the extremity in 80.7% of the cases. Patients with body surface involvement >10% and who came from rural areas stayed longer in hospital and those with scald burns have a shorter hospital stay. Patients with body surface area involvement >10% and who came from rural areas also have more complications.

Conclusion

The most affected age group were 1–5 years old children with scalds being the most common type of burns with injury occurring mostly indoors in this population. Teaching parents about household safety, seeking early medical attention, and raising public awareness could decrease the incidence of burn injury in children.

The Effect of Surgical Intervention on Pediatric Burn Injury Survival in a Resource-Poor Setting

INTRODUCTION

Burns are one of the most common injuries sustained globally. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately affected by burn injury morbidity and mortality; African children have the highest burn mortality globally. In high-income countries, early surgical intervention has shown to improve survival. However, when applied to burn victims in LMICs, improved survival in the early excision cohort (≤5 d) was not seen. Therefore, we aimed to determine the magnitude of the effect of surgical intervention on burn injury survival.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data, utilizing the Kamuzu Central Hospital Burn Database from May 2011 to July 2019, was performed. Pediatric patients (≤12 y) were included. Patients were excluded if they underwent surgical intervention for nonacute burn care management. Bivariate analyses stratifying by type of surgical intervention was performed, comparing demographics, burn characteristics, surgical intervention, and patient mortality. Standardized estimates were adjusted using the inverse-probability of treatment weights to account for confounding. Weighted logistic regression modeling was performed to determine the odds of mortality based on if a patient underwent surgical intervention.

RESULTS

During the study, 2364 patients were seen at the Kamuzu Central Hospital, 1785 (75.5%) were children ≤12 y who met inclusion criteria. In the overall cohort, 342 (19.2%) underwent operations, including split-thickness skin graft (n = 196, 57.3%), debridement (n = 116, 33.9%), escharotomy (n = 19, 5.6%), and amputation (n = 1, 0.3%). The surgery cohort was older (4.2 ± 3.1 versus 3.1 ± 2.6 y, P < 0.001) with larger percent total body surface area burns (16%, interquartile range: 10-24 versus 13%, interquartile range: 8-20, P < 0.001) than those who did not have surgery. In the propensity score-weighted logistic regression predicting survival, patients undergoing surgery after burn injury had an increased odds of survival (odds ratio: 5.24, 95% confidence interval: 2.40-11.44, P = 0.003) when compared with patients not undergoing surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In this propensity-weighted analysis, surgical intervention following burn injury increases the odds of survival by a factor of 5.24 when compared with patients not undergoing surgical intervention. Efforts to enhance burn infrastructure to deliver surgical care is imperative to attenuate burn mortality in resource-poor settings.