New Delhi: Firecrackers accounted for the majority of Diwali-related burn injuries reported at AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital, with children among the worst affected. While AIIMS recorded 42 cases, Safdarjung Hospital reported 135 patients with minor burns in its outpatient department and seven admissions for major burns over Nov 7 and 8.At AIIMS, an eight-year-old child was in critical condition with burns covering 45% of the body. The hospital’s Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Burns Surgery reported 42 Diwali-related injuries till 11 am on Nov 9. Of these, 37 were linked to firecrackers, while two were caused by potash burns, including one involving a 13-year-old.Eleven patients at AIIMS were admitted with major burn injuries, of whom four required ICU care. The remaining 31 patients suffered minor burns.Children below the age of 18 accounted for 18 of the 42 cases reported at AIIMS. Among adolescents aged 10-18 years, anaar explosions emerged as the most common cause of injury. Most injuries among adults aged 18-60 involved the hands.Safdarjung Hospital reported 135 burn patients in its OPD over Nov 7 and 8. Of these, 129 injuries were linked to firecrackers and six to diyas. Children below the age of 12 accounted for 35 cases, while 101 patients were above 12 years. The age of one patient was not specified in the records.The hospital also admitted seven patients with major burns during the two days. Five of these injuries were caused by firecrackers and two by diyas. One of the admitted patients was below 12 years of age.Safdarjung’s data showed that 93 of the OPD patients were male and 42 were female. While 131 patients were from Delhi, four came from outside the city. All seven patients admitted with major burns were Delhi residents.Meanwhile, nearly 110 patients reported to the eye casualty services at Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, on Diwali (Nov 8) and the early hours of the following day, with the majority suffering from firecracker-related eye injuries.Of the total cases, 72 involved non-sight-threatening injuries and were managed conservatively. Eighteen patients suffered serious injuries, including corneal perforations and lacerations, and underwent emergency surgery. Another 20 patients with firecracker-related eye injuries were scheduled to undergo surgical intervention. Majority of patients were children and young adults, said hospital authorities.
