Sila O., 2

Sila is the youngest of six children. Although both parents are alive, the family faces significant financial hardship. His father works far away in another town as a casual laborer in a sugar company, while his mother relies on weeding other people's sugarcane farms to provide for the children. Sila was first treated as an outpatient after developing burn injuries three days earlier. The wounds were not badly off, and there was no indication of admission at that time, so the parent was told to be bringing the child on alternate days to the hospital for cleaning and dressing of the wounds. He had sustained burns on his right upper arm (circumference) and right side of the trunk after accidentally being splashed with hot water. Upon assessment, he was diagnosed with 2nd-degree burns covering 18% of his body surface area. His mother was advised to bring him back for wound cleaning and dressing, but she was unable to do so due to lack of money. When he was brought back to the facility, the wounds had worsened, were septic with some oozing pus. Given the extent of his wounds and the need for proper care, he was admitted for comprehensive wound management and treatment.

Sila having been treated as an outpatient, exhibited signs of infections and this led to his admission to the ward. He stayed twelve days being managed on antibiotics and cleaning and dressing of the wound until all signs of infection were managed. He was then discharged and advised to be coming for cleaning of the wound on alternate days.

Sila’s overall prognosis is favorable, provided he continues to receive proper wound care and follow-up treatment. Second-degree burns involving 18% of the body surface area generally heal well with appropriate cleaning, dressing, infection prevention, and pain management. Since he has now been admitted for proper care after initially missing dressing sessions due to financial challenges, his wounds are expected to improve steadily.