Prevalence and Pattern of Paediatric Burns Managed at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State, South South Nigeria

Paediatric burns represent a major cause of unintentional childhood injury, disability, and mortality in Nigeria. This retrospective descriptive study examines the prevalence, pattern, and management outcomes of paediatric burns at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, South South Nigeria, over a five-year period from 2019 to 2023. Records of 112 children aged zero to 15 years admitted to the burns and plastic surgery unit were reviewed. Variables included age, sex, burn aetiology, body surface area affected, depth of burn, treatment received, and outcome at discharge. Scalds accounted for the highest proportion of burns (63.4%), predominantly affecting children under five years. Flame burns represented 24.1% and chemical burns 7.1% of cases. Kitchen accidents were the most common setting of injury (58.0%). The mean total body surface area (TBSA) burned was 22.4%. Wound infection was the most common complication (44.6%). Case fatality rate was 9.8%, with burn extent greater than 40% TBSA as the strongest predictor of mortality. Length of hospitalisation ranged from 3 to 98 days, with a median of 18 days. Most survivors required prolonged physiotherapy and scar management. Recommendations include community education on burn prevention, childproofing of kitchens, and strengthening of burn care capacity at secondary and tertiary facilities. Keywords: paediatric burns, scalds, UBTH, Edo State, South South Nigeria.