Children are very curious by nature and explore things and their surroundings without knowing the dangers associated .In India, winter months see a sharp increase in the incidence of scald burns from hot liquids among young children. A scald can cause a serious burn injury and cause extreme suffering and many a times, scarring for life. Burns and scalds are a major cause of injury in children aged 0 to 14 years and children aged 0 to four years are at greatest risk.
Fortis Hospital, Mohali, received a one and a half year old girl Niyati on 25.11.06 in the Emergency. Niyati is a British citizen and her parents are NRIs staying in UK. She had come to India for her aunt's wedding. On 25.11.06, Niyati accidentally fell into a bucket containing boiling water and sustained more than 35% burns. She was seen initially at a nursing home at Karnal and immediately referred to PGI due to her serious condition. The family went to PGIMER, Chandigarh but the condition of girl child needed urgent attention. They shifted the child to Fortis Hospital, Mohali.
It was a major challenge to save the child as major burns in small children carry high mortality rate. At Fortis Hospital, the patient was admitted under Dr K M Kapoor, Head, and Dept of Plastic Surgery. During her stay, her condition was very critical and initially was managed in ICU. Dr Gaurav Gupta, pediatrician at Fortis was a great help in her medical management in ICU and later in the ward. After several days in ICU, she was shifted in separate room with barrier nursing. She was managed in a sterile environment with regular dressings and supportive treatment. With very efficient team effort and good nursing care, the child gradually improved and most of the burns healed .On 18/12/06,after 3 weeks of fighting all odds, Niyati was finally discharged from hospital. . ”Although we were battling hard to save the life of the little girl, there were moments when we thought we would lose her” says Dr KM Kapoor.
Niyati was still undergoing dressings for small area on her abdomen after discharge. Niyati's parents are all praise for excellent facilities at Fortis Hospital and personal attention given by Dr K M Kapoor and Dr Gaurav. "It was a second birth for Niyati. Fortis has best doctors and nurses and facilities are as good as any international hospital. We had an option of airlifting the child to UK but we were satisfied with the management at Fortis." says Niyati's mother, herself a nurse working with NHS. Niyati's well-being was also asked by British High commission, as she is a British citizen. In UK, every year about 600 people get serious burns from hot liquids. Mary Creagh, an MP in UK is spearheading a campaign 'Hot water burns like fire" to prevent hot water burns in children and has a website www.hotwaterburnslikefire.com.On learning about this case, the campaign coordinator in UK, Dr Howard Porter, showed keen interest.
Niyati flew back to UK on 26th Dec 2006 to celebrate her second birthday on 8th January 2007, with her family and friends.
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