Bath-water scalds in children and thermostatic mixer valves.
Burns
; 32(7): 909-12, 2006 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16879923
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Scalds in children caused by hot bath-water have been virtually eliminated in countries where thermostatic mixer valve (TMV) devices have been introduced. We aimed to determine the frequency and severity of these injuries in our region and estimate reduction in workload and cost if TMVs were introduced in the future.METHODS:
A retrospective review was conducted of case-notes for all bath-water scalds patients aged under 16 years, admitted to the Northern Regional Burn Centre from the 1 January 1997 until 1 January 2005.RESULTS:
One hundred and twenty-five patients were admitted over this period. Their average+/-S.D. age was 35.7+/-27.23 months. Scalds ranged from 0.5 to 45% total burn surface area (mean 9.3+/-9.15%). These patients stayed in hospital for an average of 6.3+/-5.58 days and 18 (14.4%) required tangential excision and split skin grafting.DISCUSSION:
These injuries are painful, psychologically disturbing and potentially preventable. The care of these children has significant cost implications, which could be reduced with the introduction of proposed legislation to enforce the installation of TMVs into all newly built houses. We are in favour of such legislation to prevent any further unnecessary suffering and cost arising from these accidents.
Buscar no Google
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Banhos
/
Queimaduras
Tipo de estudo:
Incidence_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Burns
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido