Pattern of Burn patients admitted in a Burn Unit of Bir Hospital Kathmandu

IntroductIon: Burn injuries and their sequelae pose a public health problem. Over 90% of fatal fire-related burns occur in developing countries. The objective of this study is the assessment of present status of burn injury. Methode:Over one year period from April 2007 to April 2008 a total number of 100 patients who were admitted in the burn unit were studied retrospectively. Result:Total 100 patients, having 15% – 90% total body surface area burn, were admitted in the burn unit. Among them 44 were male and 56 female. 71% of the burn victims were in age group of 16 -35 years. The causes of burn injuries were flame burn ( 64%), scald (21%), electric burn (14%).The superficial burn was found only in the 18% of the cases. Most of the patients were involved in domestic fire while cooking. The causes of injuries were accidental in 84%, suicidal 14%, and 2% homicidal. The total mortality was 16% and total body surface areas in those patients were more than 40%. The total hospital stay was 60 days in average. ConclusIon:Burn is a preventable condition and most commonly occurs due to domestic fire. Recovery is slow and hospital stay is prolonged. Outcome of the treatment and morbidity differs in patients. The total body surface area more than 40% has the higher mortality rate. keywords:Total Body surface area (TBSA), hospital stay, mortality