Many children suffered burns from fumigating Covid-19 rooms

Recently, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital has received many children with burns due to steam inhalation. Photo: Yen Phuong

On February 15, the hospital received a case of a female patient PNKV (14 years old, Vinh City) who was hospitalized due to burns. Previously, due to concerns about the complicated COVID-19 epidemic situation, the child's mother consulted the internet and prepared a pot of herbal water for her child.steam. And the unexpected accident happened. Whilesteam, due to carelessness, the child got caught in the pot handle and the herbal water spilled on his foot, causing burns.

V.'s mother said that as soon as they saw their child in trouble, the family took the child to a lower-level hospital for first aid, then continued to take the child to a traditional healer for medicinal treatment. However, the child's condition did not improve, the burn wound became increasingly swollen, oozing cloudy fluid, causing a lot of pain. On February 15, the child was admitted to Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital for treatment.

Baby K. suffered burns to his chest, left thigh, and left arm. Photo: Yen Phuong

Similarly, there was the case of 3 mothers and children of Ms. PTT (residing in Tan Ky district). With the mentality of disease prevention, she bought leaves to steam for the whole family. During the steaming process, Ms. T. held the youngest child in her arms. Baby NTK (4 years old) also sat next to her mother to steam. However, the younger child arched his body, kicking the hot steaming pot onto baby NTK. Hospitalized on February 22, baby K. suffered burns to the chest, left thigh, and left arm.

After receiving the cases of PNKV and NTK children, the doctors of the Orthopedic Trauma - Burn Department quickly performed surgery to remove necrosis, graft skin to create a flap, and treat the burns with intensive treatment regimen. Currently, after more than 1 week of treatment, the children's health has stabilized.

Dr. Thai Van Binh - Head of the Department of Trauma, Orthopedics and Burns said: Steaming is a traditional medicine treatment to limit infection and prevent Covid-19. However, families need to pay attention to doing it correctly, especially with young children.

Every day, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital receives about 10 patients for burn treatment. Photo: Yen Phuong

Parents should not overuse steam baths, and should not steam directly on children, especially children under 30 months, children with a history of epilepsy, febrile convulsions, or people allergic to essential oils. Children with underlying medical conditions should follow the advice and instructions of their doctor.

Every day, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital receives about 10 patients for burn treatment, including many cases of children burned by heating, steaming, etc. Children with burns need to be given proper first aid from the very first moments, because if treated incorrectly, the burn injury will increase in depth, become infected, and leave sequelae such as keloids, hypertrophic scars, contracted scars, etc.