Late complications of scalding in children: treatment and prevention.

Children between the ages 1 to 3 years are particularly prone to burns by their constant desire to pull down containers of hot fluids. The resulting burns produce serious complications such as hypertrophic scars and scar contractures, which can be severe enough to cause growth disturbances. A series of 31 cases of these accidents resulting in the above sequelae was investigated. These complications are however the end result of a chain of unfortunate events any or all of which could have been avoided. Usually the scald could have been prevented by greater vigilance on the part of the parents. Once late complications have developed, excision of the scar tissue and subsequent skin grafting or other reconstructive procedure should be performed. However, in spite of satisfactory results, these complications have a tendency to recur during the growth period.