Patterns, severity, and outcomes of burn injuries: an in-depth analysis. Insights from the Khartoum – Sudan

• Burn affecting patients’ socio-economic status and psychological well-being. • Burn incidents are prevalent despite global awareness. • Impact of burns can be profound, influencing financial stability and mental health. • High mortality rates persist, despite historical public health efforts. Burn injuries are not merely scars; they represent damage that can extend to impact the socio-economic status of patients, and the prolonged nature of the disease will significantly affect the individual’s psychology. African nations are regarded as endemic regions for burns, and despite international attention on this issue, such incidents continue to occur frequently. This article emphasizes the epidemiology of burns in Sudan and reflects on the challenges faced in achieving improved outcomes in these low-income countries. This study is a descriptive, retrospective, multi-center, hospital-based performed to assess the epidemiology of burn in Sudan during 2019–2022. The study included all patients presenting with various types of burn and managed in plastic surgery units. The study included 772 patients; the age distribution revealed that children under 10 years old represented the largest group, accounting for 37.3% and slight male predominance (52.3% male vs. 47.1% female). The primary cause of burns was flame burns and majority of patients presented with third-degree burns (62.1%). The overall mortality rate was 11.5%. The leading causes of death were sepsis (5.3%) Burn injuries in low-income nations are inevitable due to insufficient safety precautions and the ready availability of burn sources. When such incidents occur, the lack of trained personnel and adequate facilities leads to severe consequences. It is imperative to establish policies that increase population awareness about burns and preventive strategies.