title: Clinical spectrum of electrical burns - A prospective study from the developing world.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Electrical burns are devastating, posing development of multiple injuries with high morbidity and mortality. Electrical burn management benefits from a multidisciplinary, multispecialty collaborative approach to improve outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To highlight the clinical spectrum of electrical burns in the developing world, including common etiologies, presentation, intervention, associated injuries, and complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was conducted from January 2010 to December 2015 that included 78 patients (75 men and 3 women), who presented with a history of electrical burns. Patients were interviewed for detailed clinical history and physical examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study comprised 78 patients (high-voltage group: 38.46% and low-voltage group: 61.54%). The most affected age group was the 21-40 year age group. High-voltage injuries were more devastating. The most common complication was septicemia in 24.4% of the patients, which included 43.3% from the high-voltage group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electrical burns affecting young adult men can impose a significant burden in developing countries. Electrical burns, especially due to high voltage, involve multiple organs benefitting from multidisciplinary management and have significant residual sequelae. Public awareness and education and proper training of industry workers remain the best way to minimize the prevalence of electric burns in the developing world.
authors: King George Medical University, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India. Electronic address: drashokkumarsokhal@gmail.com.
authors: Ashok Kumar
authors: AK
authors: Sokhal
authors: R.N.T. Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.
authors: Krishna Govind
authors: KG
authors: Lodha
authors: M.P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
authors: Manoj
authors: M
authors: Kumari
authors: R.N.T. Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.
authors: Rajkumar
authors: R
authors: Paliwal
authors: S.P. Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
authors: Sitaram
authors: S
authors: Gothwal
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001458:Bandages; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D003646:Debridement; D003906:Developing Countries; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Burns; Electrical injury; Life-threatening conditions; Voltage