Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026

Severe Burn Injury in a Swine Model for Clinical Dressing Assessment
Published on: November 6, 2018
Burn injury from car seat in an 11-month-old infant
Madhavi Moharir1, Anne Niec, Christine Wekerle
1The Hospital for Sick Children,Toronto;
Insights
Accidental infant burns from hot car seats can mimic child abuse. Physicians should consider this unusual cause and educate caregivers on travel safety to prevent such injuries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Forensic Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Burns in infants are often investigated as nonaccidental injuries.
- Distinguishing between accidental and intentional burns is crucial for accurate diagnosis and intervention.
Observation:
- An 11-month-old infant presented with a significant contact burn.
- The burn pattern was consistent with exposure to a heated car seat component.
Findings:
- The injury was attributed to accidental contact with a non-covered, heated plastic car seat part.
- This case highlights an unusual differential diagnosis for suspected child abuse.
Implications:
- Physicians must maintain an unbiased approach, considering accidental causes like heated car seats.
- Caregiver education on travel safety is essential to prevent infant burn injuries.
Abstract:
Burns in young infants have long been recognized as a potential cause of nonaccidental injury. Accidental exposure to hot car seat parts resulting in significant burn injury is an unusual mimicker of child abuse. A case involving an 11-month-old child who presented with a significant contact burn injury related to the noncovered, heated, plastic part of a car seat, is described. The present case encourages physicians to maintain an unbiased approach to each referred case and to explore the differential diagnosis by detailed history and physical examination. It also serves as a reminder in caregiver education about the precautions to be taken during long-distance travel with young children and infants.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Decreased Body Temperature
Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus....
Cellular Injury II: Classification
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

