Profile of Fatal Burn Deaths in Surat Region, Gujarat-An Autopsy based Prospective Study

Every year a substantial proportion of deaths in India occur due to burn injuries. Burn deaths are a major public health problem in our country. This prospective study was carried out in Forensic Medicine & Toxicology department of SMIMER, Surat in the year of 2014. The 21 to 30 years age group accounted for 35% of the burn cases and male: female ratio was 1: 2. The commonest cause of death in these cases was burns shock with toxaemia while the most common complication of burn cases was septicaemia. 75 to 100% of the total body surface area (TBSA) was involved in 46% of burn cases. The objective of the study was to understand various demographic aspects of deaths due to burns as to suggest some remedial measures.