Burn injuries during the puerperium in Zaria, Nigeria

Of the 35 women who sustained burn injuries during the puerperium in Zaria, 31 had practised ritual hot baths or "Wankan-jego" which caused severe scalds. Five of the women also developed peripartum cardiac failure. Two died. Three of the newborns also died partly as a result of the mothers' illness. Formal education and general economic development would help in eliminating this preventable source of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.