Childhood burns in Zaria, Nigeria

From 1971 to 1980, 429 children with burn injuries were admitted to the Ahmadu Bello University Hospital, Zaria. These were major burns in 275 patients, moderate in 82 and minor in 72. Fourteen of the patients were neonates, 102 infants, 228 were 5 years old or younger and 85 were older. Socioeconomic factors contributing to the injuries included the use of firewood for cooking at ground-level and for warming the house and body during the cold season; loose indigenous garments; thatch-roofed huts and the post-partum rituals of mudbed heating and hot baths. Flame burns exceeded scalds with a seasonal frequency which peaked during the harmattan. In the absence of a 'burn's unit', burned children were nursed on the general ward together with other sick children by the same nursing personnel supervised by general surgeons. Complications included wound infection, respiratory distress, measles, malnutrition and tetanus. One-fifth of the patients absconded. Overall mortality was 13 per cent but 29 per cent of the neonates died. Preventive strategy should include public information, nursery school supervision, economic development and architectural improvements. © 1987.