Epidemiology and Outcomes of Electric Burn Injury at SMS Medical College, Jaipur: A Retrospective Study

Background: Electrical burn injuries comprise a small fraction of the total burn admissions but they are potentially a mutilating type. The purpose of this study is to understand the epidemiological characteristics of burn injury and identify prevention measures. Methods: A retrospective epidemiological study was conducted on patients admitted in burn unit from January 2016 to June 2018 and data was analysed for demographic characteristics and outcomes and patterns of electric burn injury. Results: A total of 3883 admissions were made. Male to female ratio was 1.49:1.0. Rural: urban ratio was 2:1. Mode of injury was accidental (80.5%), suicidal (13.7%) and homicidal (5.8%). Flame burn (61.7%) topped the list of etiologic factors. Electric burn represented 24.85% which was quite significant when compared to other parts of the world. 1308 patients expired (33.69%). Out of the total electric burn admissions, 304 (31.5%) patients sustained low voltage (<1000 kv) injuries while 661 (68.5%) patients had high voltage (>1000 kv) injury. Most of the injuries were work related and most involving age group was 20–40 years.The mean number of operation per person was more in high-voltage group (2.04±1.124) as compared with low-voltage group (1.91±1.023). Mortality rate was 12.8% and was attributed to respiratory failure, multiorgan dysfunction, disseminated intravascular coagulation and renal failure. Conclusions: Electric burn comprised a significant proportion of burn injury. This can be prevented by educating about safety principles to the parents and adults at workplace and improving infrastructure with enforcement of strict laws and training for all the electric department workers.