Epidemiology of infant burn in Eastern Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the epidemiology, pattern, outcome, and impact of infant burns in Eastern Saudi Arabia.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective review of admitted infants charts over 4 years (2008-2013) at the Burn Unit of King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The charts were reviewed for age, gender, etiology, site of injury, total body surface area (TBSA), depth of burn, hospital stay, and discharge status.


RESULTS
The total number of admissions to the Burn Unit was 510 cases. Out of these cases, 84 were infants, constituting 16.5% of total admissions. Scald burn was the most common etiology affecting 73 infants (86.9%). The highest percentage of total body surface area was between 5-10%, which occurred in 41 infants (48.8%). The average hospital stay was 10 days. No infant mortality was reported during this period.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of burns among infants in our hospital is high, and preventive measures must be implemented to decrease the occurrence of burns in this age group.
Plastic Surgery Department, King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. drabdsalman@live.com.
Abdulla K
AK
Alsalman
Emran A
EA
Algadiem
Maysaa A
MA
Alalwan
Tarek S
TS
Farag
D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010343:Patient Admission; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology