National Burn Week places spotlight on treatment for children

POLOKWANE – Burns are the third most common cause of accidental deaths among children under the age of 14, exceeded only by motor vehicle accidents and drowning.

National Burn Awareness Week happens from May 6-12 and serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the effects that burn wounds have, especially on children.

Nearly 230 children die from burns in South Africa every year. These deaths occur due to the severity of the burns, but more so because there are no effective, affordable synthetic treatment options available to patients.

As children’s skin is still developing, they have thinner skin than adults; which can result in more serious injuries from a burn or scald. Their skin also burns at lower temperatures, more deeply thus making them susceptible to harsher burns with long-term effects.

Stella de Kock, Managing Director for Transplant Education for Living Legacies (Tell) said Sub-Saharan countries carry an extraordinary burden of burn injuries among children.

“It is estimated that between 300 000 and 17.5m children under the age of five sustain burn injuries annually and that fire-related burns are the second-largest external cause of death in the region. There is overwhelming evidence that these injuries are largely environmentally conditioned and therefore preventable,” she said.

de Kock said there are 23 burn ‘units’ in South Africa and all can generally render acute emergency care, with a limited number rendering comprehensive care.

“Two of the leading burn units in South Africa are situated at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (CHBAH) respectively. Every year the Nelson Mandela Children’s hospital treats approximately 3 500 children for burns, approximately 1 300 of these cases are severe burns. Ninety-eight percent of children treated for burns are from disadvantaged communities,” she added.

CHBAH is the third largest hospital in the world and the unit looks after children under the age of nine who have burn wounds from hot water accidents, electrical appliances and fireworks.

Top tips for preventing burns and scalds:

• Create a child-safe area at home.
• Keep hot objects out of children’s reach.
• Teach older children how to cook safely.
• Check bathwater temperature.
• Watch children around fireplaces.
• Don’t hold your child while working in the kitchen.

de Kock said Tell raises awareness for organ and tissue (skin) donation and are always looking for funds for various projects.

“If you wish to make a donation and help tell spread more joy to children in need of a skin or organ transplant, please use the banking details below to purchase a Zane educational soft toy which costs R250.”

Name: Transplant Education for Living Legacies NPO
Bank: First National Bank (FNB)
Account type: Cheque
Account no: 62818725775
Branch code: 250655
Reference: Zane

Donations can also be made via Yoco.