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Bath scalds in children in the south-east of Scotland
1Plastic Surgical Unit, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK.
Insights
Domestic hot tap water scalds are a significant childhood hazard. Reducing water temperature through statutory control is essential for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric burn injuries
- Public health hazards
Background:
- Childhood scalds from domestic hot tap water are a preventable public health issue.
- Regional data on pediatric burn unit admissions provides insight into injury patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review factors contributing to domestic hot tap water scalds in children.
- To analyze treatment experiences at a regional pediatric burn unit.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of 91 children with bath water scalds versus 667 with other thermal injuries.
- Review of injury characteristics, treatment outcomes, and contributing factors.
Main Results:
- Bath water scalds were more frequent on limbs but involved larger body surface areas (>40% BSA).
- No significant differences in hospital stay or skin grafting requirements were observed between groups.
- Parental supervision was a factor, but single parenthood was not identified as a risk factor.
Conclusions:
- Reducing domestic hot water temperature is crucial for preventing childhood scalds.
- Statutory control of water temperature is proposed as the most effective solution.
Abstract:
Scalds caused by domestic hot tap water constitute a significant but preventable hazard in childhood. We have reviewed some of the factors contributing to such injuries, and the experience of a regional paediatric burn unit in their treatment. There were 91 children with bath water scalds and 667 children with thermal injuries from other sources included in this study. In the former group, scalds were more common on the limbs, including the hands and feet. Scalds involving over 40% of body surface area were more common in children with bath water injuries; however, there was no difference between the groups with regard to hospital stay or requirement for skin grafting. Parents ran the bath responsible for scald production in most cases, but single parenthood did not appear to be a risk factor. First aid application made no significant difference to eventual burn area or hospital stay. It appears from this study that reduction of domestic hot water temperature is necessary. Statutory control is likely to offer the best solution to the problem of domestic hot tap water scalds in childhood.
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