AN EXTRAORDINARY CAUSE OF SCALDING INJURY IN CHILDHOOD

In an attempt to statistically evaluate burn injuries in childhood in terms of incidence, aetiology, mortality and morbidity, a surprising a etiological cause was noticed, not only as having a high mortality rat e, but also as being preventable in most cases if simple precautions a re taken. Fifteen preschool children had been severely scalded in kitc hens by hot milk which was heated in a cauldron to produce cheese, a t raditional custom. The clinical data relating to this aetiology and th e probable underlying factors pertaining to the social characteristics are given and discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd for ISBI.