Aspects of Fatal Burn Injury Cases Admitted to Al–Sadiq Teaching Hospital, Babylon Province/Iraq During 2020

Abstract

Background: Burns death both intentional and non-intentional considered among the most disastrous
outcome of burn injuries.
Objectives: To measure the case fatality rate in hospitalized burn patients and to investigate in-hospital
mortality among burn injury cases who were admitted to Al–Sadiq Teaching Hospitalburn center from the
first of January to the end of June, 2020.
Methodology: This is an observational descriptive case series study conducted on all cases who died from
burn injury among patients who were admitted to the biggest teaching hospital in Babylon Province – Iraq.
Data were collected from patients themselves or their companions and from patients’ hospital records, using
a pretested questionnaire designed for collection the requested information.
Results: The mean age ± SD (Standard Deviation) of burn death victims were 24.5±17.66 years. Young
age group (15-24 years) represents the highest proportion (50%). Male to female ratio was 1:2.25. The case
fatality rate was 26.6%(32/120). The majority of cases were from rural areas, 67% of suicidal burn deaths
had more than 50% of burnt total body surface area. Intentional burn deaths victims had significantly severe
burns (third degree burn and high-burnt surface area) as compared to accidental burn deaths. There was a
statistically significant difference as regards the mode of burns between the intentional and accidental burn
deaths, all intentional deaths were burnt with flame.
Conclusions: The case fatality rate of burn injuries was high, females outnumbered males, and suicidal burn
deaths were significantly associated with severe burn as compared to the accidental ones.