Upper airway obstruction--an unusual complication following a minor scalding injury.

A 14-month-old girl suffered a 10 per cent scalding injury from hot water of the type sometimes recognized as 'the teapot syndrome'. The hot water also reached the hypopharynx where it caused marked swelling of the mucosa and hence obstruction of the airway. Increasing respiratory distress made endotracheal intubation necessary 4.5 h after the accident. The girl was extubated 26 h later, and breathing was normal. The external burns were initially treated with baths and dressing changes. They healed mostly spontaneously, but four areas had to be grafted. This case report shows that thermal burns of the mouth and pharynx, followed by oedema and upper airway obstruction, can occur also in a minor scalding injury involving the face. Respiratory distress makes intubation necessary.