@article{ref1,
title="Scalds as a result of vapour inhalation therapy in children",
journal="Burns: journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries",
year="2008",
author="Wallis, Belinda A. and Turner, Jason and Pearn, John and Kimble, Roy M.",
volume="34",
number="4",
pages="560-564",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To determine the numbers of paediatric scald injuries associated with the practice of inhaling warmed vapour or warm-humidification of rooms for treatment of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). METHODS: Cases comprised a 6-year consecutive series of scalds in children 0-14 years attending the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) in Brisbane, Australia. All scalds were sustained either directly from a container of hot water, or by room humidification. RESULTS: During 2001-2006, 27 children were treated for scald injury associated with breathing humidified air. Aged from 7 months to 14 years, 44% were under 3 years old and the modal age was 1 year. Injuries included steam burns to the hands from commercial vapour-producing devices in children younger than three, and spills from containers of hot water which resulted in larger scalds to multiple body sites in children aged 5-14. No child received an airway scald from hot vapour. Two children required grafts and four had a prolonged hospital stay. Total body surface area (TBSA) scalded, ranged from 1% to 15% and the majority of burns were deep dermal partial thickness. CONCLUSIONS: The common practice of warm-humidification of inspired air as home treatment of URTI's carries an under-recognised risk of serious scalding. An alternative means of providing humidified air is to sit with your child in a closed bathroom whilst running the shower for a short time. If warm humidification is to be used, increased awareness of the risk by both parents and health professionals may reduce the incidence of this serious burn.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0305-4179",
doi="10.1016/j.burns.2007.07.016",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2007.07.016"
}