Cutaneous burns in children: Clinical and therapeutic aspects in the general surgery department of Hôpital Ignace Deen, CHU de Conakry (Guinea)

Abstract

Aim: To contribute to the improvement of the quality of care of children with burns in the General Surgery Department of the Ignace Deen National Hospital, CHU Conakry.Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive study, lasting 3 years from January 2020 to December 2022, covering the consecutive records of children (0 to 15 years) with burns received in the general surgery department of the Ignace Deen National Hospital.Results: During the three (3) years, we identified 55 burn patients. The mean age was 3.16 ± 2.85 years. Males accounted for 60% of the burns, with a sex ratio of 1.5. Burns were accidental in 100% of cases, occurred at home in 92.73% of cases, and were thermal in 94.55% of cases, dominated by hot liquids (85.45%). Burns were second degree (92%). The upper extremities (58.18%) were most affected. The mean surface area burned was 12.21±3.75%, and 60% were severe burns. Patients had received dressings (100%), analgesics (100%), antibiotics (100%) and vascular filling (72.73%). The mortality rate was 12.73% (N=7). The mean hospital stay was 9.7 days.Conclusion: Skin burns in children are a common occurrence. It concerns male children under 5 years of age, burned by a hot liquid, largely related to their environment (home).