Journal of Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
SCOPUS
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue: 1

A study of deaths due to burn injuries brought for medico legal autopsies at a tertiary care hospital in northern region of Himachal Pradesh.

  • Author:
  • Susheel Sharma1, Vijay Arora2,, Vipul Parmar3, Saurbh Sharma4, Mukul Sharma5
  • Total Page Count: 4
  • Published Online: Jun 1, 2019
  • Page Number: 129 to 132

1Associate Professor Deptt. of Forensic Medicine, Dr. R. P. Govt. Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, HP-176001

2Professor and Head Deptt. of Forensic Medicine, Dr. R. P. Govt. Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, HP-176001

3Junior Resident Deptt. of Forensic Medicine, Dr. R. P. Govt. Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, HP-176001

4Junior Resident Deptt. of Forensic Medicine, Dr. R. P. Govt. Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, HP-176001

5Demonstrator Deptt. of Forensic Medicine, Dr. R. P. Govt. Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, HP-176001

*Email: drvjarora@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: Invention of fire creates development as well as devastating impact on human. India has an estimated burn incidence of 6–7 million and about 1.4 lakh burn deaths in a year.

Materials and Methods: In present study five year data of burn deaths autopsied in our institute was scrutinized.

Results: Burn deaths comprised of 190 (15.62%) cases out of 1216 of the total medicolegal autopsies, Maximum cases were reported in the winter season. The age group of 19–30 years accounted for the maximum number of cases i.e 78 (41.05%). Females 121 (63.68%) outnumbered the males 69 (36.31%) in burn deaths. Maximum 67 (35.26%) cases showed burn injuries on 51–75% total body surface area. The average extent of injury was 61.21% total body surface area. Accidents 170 (89.47%) were the most common manner. Burn shock 94 (49.47%) was the leading cause of death followed by Septicaemic shock in 76 (40.00%) cases. Kerosene smell was appreciated in 140 (73.68%) cases.

Conclusions: Present study will provide analysis on how burn mortality is distributed across different seasons, age groups, sex and manner of its occurrence.

Keywords

Medico legal, Burn death, Burn shock