Long-Term Outcomes of Paediatric Burn Injuries Managed at National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi: A Prospective Cohort Study

Paediatric burn injuries in Nigeria impose long-term physical, functional, and psychosocial burdens that extend far beyond initial hospital management. Prospective data on long-term outcomes in this population from Nigerian institutions are scarce. This prospective cohort study examines the long-term functional, cosmetic, and psychosocial outcomes of paediatric burn patients managed at the National Orthopaedic Hospital (NOH), Igbobi, Lagos State, South West Nigeria, from 2019 to 2023. Children aged 1 to 15 years with burn injuries requiring surgical management were enrolled and followed up at 6, 12, and 24 months post-discharge. Outcome measures included hypertrophic scar formation, functional joint contracture, school return rates, and psychosocial wellbeing assessed using the Children's Depression Inventory and parent-reported functional scales. Hypertrophic scarring occurred in 47% of patients. Joint contractures requiring surgical release developed in 19%. Return to school within 6 months was achieved by 58% of patients. Psychosocial disturbances were identified in 34% of children at 12-month follow-up, with social withdrawal and school avoidance as predominant manifestations. Burn depth, total body surface area affected, and delayed skin grafting were the strongest predictors of poor long-term outcomes. The study recommends multidisciplinary burn rehabilitation programs, school reintegration support systems, and early psychological counseling for paediatric burn survivors in South West Nigeria. Keywords: paediatric burns, long-term outcomes, scarring, rehabilitation, Lagos