Why is milk so dangerous in rural areas?

OBJECTIVE

In this study, hot milk burns observed in paediatric patients were examined, and the results were compared with those obtained from other types of scalding burns.

METHOD: A 10-year retrospective study was conducted with paediatric patients hospitalised for hot milk burns at the Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital Burn Center, Turkey.

RESULTS

Of the 87 patients included in the study, 49 (56.3%) were male and 38 (43.7%) were female, with a male/female ratio of 1.29:1. Patients were aged two months to 18 years, with a mean age of 3.62±2.82 years. The highest rate of burn injury was observed in patients aged 0-4 years (n=67, 77.0%). The upper (n=56, 64.4%) and lower extremities (n=75, 86.2%) were the most frequently affected areas. Of the total number of patients examined, 25 (28.7%) exhibited second-degree burns, while 62 (71.3%) exhibited third-degree major burns. The mean hospitalisation time was 6.28±5.04 days. None of the patients died or underwent amputation.

CONCLUSION

Scalding is the most common cause of burns in the paediatric population in Turkey. Hot milk burns attract attention due to their higher infection rates and length of hospital stay.