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Órgano Oficial del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría

2008, Number 1

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Acta Pediatr Mex 2008; 29 (1)

Intentional burns in children. An ignored child abuse mechanism

García-Piña CA, Loredo-Abdalá A, Trejo-Hernández J

Language: Spanish
References: 29
Page: 1-7
PDF size: 146.19 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Introduction: Burns constitute a serious problem in children, who are at greater risk of dying than adults. This risk is increased when they are caused intentionally. Most of intentional burns are by scalds; followed by those produced by contact with hot objects: hot plates, spoons, forks, knives, or cigarettes. Each one of them has definite clinical characteristics which should be analyzed together with the social surroundings of the patient and his/her family. This will determine if they were caused intentionally. Objective: To define the clinical characteristics and to determine the presence of indicators for physical mistreat in order to ascertain whether burns in children are accidental or intentional. Methods: In a period of seven months 149 children with burns were evaluated. A questionnaire was applied which allowed to suspect the presence of infantile mistreat, and to evaluate the characteristics of the burns in order to differentiate between intentional or accidental burns. Results: Nine patients (6%) fulfilled social clinical criteria for the suspicion of mistreatment. In addition they had the clinical characteristics of intentional burns.


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