DefinePK

Research Objective

To investigate the seasonal relationship with burn injury mechanisms in pediatric patients under 13 years of age, specifically identifying seasonal variations in burn types, quantifying hospitalizations across seasons, and assessing associated hospital stay durations.

Methodology

A prospective analytical cross-sectional study conducted at Mayo Hospital Lahore/KEMU from December 2023 to August 2024, including 120 pediatric patients with burns involving 10% of total body surface area (TBSA), face, hand, perineum, or signs of inhalation injury. Data were collected on scalds, flame burns, and electric burns. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A[Study Design: Prospective Analytical Cross-Sectional] --> B[Study Population: 120 Pediatric Patients]
    B --> C[Data Collection: Demographics, Burn Type, Mechanism, Season, Hospital Stay]
    C --> D[Statistical Analysis: SPSS, Descriptive Statistics, Chi-Square Test]
    D --> E[Results: Seasonal Burn Patterns, Hospitalization Data, Stay Durations]
    E --> F[Discussion: Interpretation of Seasonal Variations and Factors]
    F --> G[Conclusion: Implications for Prevention and Resource Allocation]                    

Discussion

The study highlights significant seasonal variations in pediatric burn injury mechanisms in Pakistan, influenced by environmental and behavioral factors. Electric burns increased slightly in summer, flame burns peaked in summer, and scald burns were most prevalent in winter. Winter was associated with longer hospital stays, potentially due to more severe injuries. These findings align with global trends but show regional differences.

Key Findings

Scalds were the most common burn type (77 cases), followed by flame burns (33 cases) and electric burns (9 cases). Scalds and flame burns peaked in winter (49% and 58%, respectively), while electric burns were most frequent in summer. Scalds and electric burns showed higher severity in summer, whereas flame burns exhibited consistent severity across seasons. Summer had the highest number of hospitalizations (56 patients), but winter was associated with longer hospital stays. A significant association (p=0.0282) was found between season and burn injury mechanism.

Conclusion

This research provides a foundation for understanding seasonal dynamics of pediatric burn injuries in Pakistan, enabling the development of targeted prevention strategies and improved resource allocation. The seasonal approach can serve as a model for similar studies in other developing countries.

Fact Check

1. Number of patients: 120 pediatric burn cases were included in the study.
2. Most common burn type: Scald burns were the most frequent, accounting for 77 cases.
3. Statistical significance: The chi-square test for the association between season and burn injury mechanism yielded a p-value of 0.0282, which is below the 0.05 threshold for statistical significance.

Mind Map