Patterns and outcomes of burn injuries in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 6412 patients

Burn injuries remain a significant public health burden globally and in Saudi Arabia, where updated epidemiological data are limited. This review aimed to characterize burn patterns and outcomes in Saudi Arabia. Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library through December 2025. Observational studies including ≥30 patients were eligible. Pooled proportions were estimated using random-effects models. Twenty-one studies, comprising 6412 patients, were included. Males accounted for 61.2% of burn cases, with a significantly higher pooled proportion in mixed-age than pediatric studies (63.1% vs 57.0%; P = 0.019). Scald burns were the most common mechanism overall (49.4%) and predominated in pediatric studies (64.6%), whereas flame burns accounted for 30.3% of burns overall and were proportionally more common in mixed-age than pediatric studies (33.6% vs 24.2%). Electrical (4.6%), chemical (3.8%), and contact burns (4.8%) were uncommon. Most burns occurred at home (80.5%), while workplace/school-related burns accounted for 5.7% of cases and were more frequent in mixed-age studies. Inhalation injury occurred in 10.2% of cases, partial-thickness burns accounted for 65.5%, and intentional burns accounted for 2.3%. The pooled mortality rate was 3.4%, with a higher pooled proportion in mixed-age than pediatric studies (4.7% vs 1.7%), although this difference was not statistically significant. Mortality differed significantly across publication periods ( P = 0.024). Burn injuries in Saudi Arabia primarily affect males and occur in domestic settings, with pediatric burns predominantly involving scalds, whereas flame and workplace/school-related burns are proportionally more common in mixed-age populations. Although uncommon, intentional burns remain a relevant subset. These findings support pediatric home-safety initiatives and targeted workplace and adult-focused burn-prevention strategies.