Frequency and Pattern of Post Burn Contractures in Children

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Author(s): Hira Adil1 , Sara Riaz2 , Tahmeedullah3 , Sumayya Riaz4 , Saima Ayub5

Received: 08/07/2024 | Revised: 22/08/2024 | Published: 10/09/2024 | Pages: 55-60 | DOI: https://www.ejmanager.com/mnstemps/249/249-1715870324.pdf?t=1763792347


BACKGROUND: Burn injuries are a global public health concern. Despite timely treatment many patients go on to develop post- burn contractures Rehabilitation of contractures there are functionally limiting can be challenging.

Objective: To determine the frequency and pattern of post burn contracture in children

METHODOLOGY: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Plastic Surgery, HMC, over a duration of 6 months. Children diagnosed with post-burn contractures during physical examinations involving limitation of movement were included in the  study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A detailed history was taken, and clinical examination of the patients was carried out at the time of admission with special reference to demographic characteristics, duration of burn, and pattern of post-burn contracture. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0.

 RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 8 years ±4.04. A total of 107(58%) children were male and 78(42%) were female. The frequency of post-burn contractures in children sustaining burn was 39% of all contractures 40% occur in fingers, 28% in wrist and elbow, 22% in axilla, and 10% in ankle/foot.

CONCLUSION: Our study concludes that the frequency of development of post burn contracture after sustaining burn injury in children is 39% in which fingers were involved in 40%. This was a higher percentage of pediatric post burn contractures should be an alarm to devise effective policies to prevent and treat it.

Keywords: post-burn contracture;, pediatric burns