Accidental Scalds and Burns in Infancy and Childhood

Forty-eight children who sustained accidental burns and scalds over a 5-year period (January 1972 December 1976) at the University College Hospital, Ibadan have been discussed. Thirty-three (69 per cent) of them suffered from scalds while 14 (29 per cent) had naked flame injuries. Ninety-two per cent of the accidents occurred in their own homes and most of the children were under the age of 5 years. The injuries were severe in 37 (77 per cent) and were complicated by sepsis (localized or generalized) as well as anaemia. Like in mot other studies, the offending organisms were Psuedomonas and Klebsiella spp., but unfortunately, the appropriate antibiotics were not often available. The mortality in the series was 6 per cent.