[Burn wounds after resuscitation of a newborn girl]

In resuscitation of an asphyctic newborn baby, a chemical hot pack was used for maintaining sufficient body temperature. The child lay for 45 min on the covered hot pack, which had a peak temperature of 54 degrees C. This led to a third degree burn (5% of BSA). The child needed split skin grafting. Control at four months of age showed a well-taken skingraft and the child was developing normally. We conclude that chemical hot packs should not be used for newborn babies unless the peak temperature in the packs is less than 44 degrees C.