[Tap-water scald burns]

To describe the characteristics of patients with tap-water scalds admitted to our hospital and review current knowledge on their prevention.

We performed a retrospective study of admissions for tap-water scalds. The medical records codified as water-tap scalds (MBDS; CIE-9-CM, 940.0-949.5, E.924.0, E.924.2) of patients admitted to our hospital for more than 24 hours from January 1 to December 31, 2003 were reviewed. The following variables were studied: age, sex, mechanism, extent and degree of burn, localization, length of hospital stay, treatment, requirement for skin grafting, mortality, and sequelae.

Twenty-nine patients were treated in our hospital. Sixty-two percent were boys. Age ranged from 3 days to 9 years. Six patients (20.6 %) were aged less than 1 year, 19 (63 %) were aged between 1 and 3 years and four (13.8 %) were aged from 3 to 9 years. Body surface area was 10 % or less in 25 patients and more than 20 % in four. Five patients required skin autografting. In two patients, the scald was produced in the neonatal area of our hospital. The mean length of hospital stay was 12 days, ranging from 1 to 38 days. None of the patients died. One patient suffered severe sequelae.

Because of the frequency and severity of the burns reported in this study, pediatricians should increase their efforts in educating families about this type of burn. In addition, effective legislation should be implemented in Spain.