Analysis of wound infections among pediatric patients following the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquakes

YEŞİL, EDANUR | TEZOL, ÖZLEM | Gokay ,Nahida | SÜRMELİ, DÖVEN SERRA | MISIRLIOĞLU, MERVE | AKÇA, MEHTAP | ÖZGÖKÇE ,ÖZMEN BERFİN | Dikme, Güldane | DURAK, FATMA | ALAKAYA ,MEHMET | KARAHAN, FERYAL | KILLI, İSA | KUYUCU, NECDET

Purpose: On February 6, 2023, two earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 occurred consecutively in Turkey and Syria. This study aimed to investigate the predisposing factors for wound infection (WI) and the microbiological characteristics of wounds after earthquake-related injuries. Methods: This descriptive study evaluated pediatric patients’ frequency of WI, and the clinical and laboratory parameters associated with the development of WI were investigated. Results: The study included 180 patients (91 female). The mean age of the patients was 123.9 ± 64.9 months and 81.7% (n = 147) of them had been trapped under rubble. Antibiotic treatment to prevent WI had been administered to 58.8% (n = 106) of all patients. WI was observed in 12.2% (n = 22) of the cases. In patients who developed WI,...