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ORLANDO, Florida – Scald burns, one of the leading causes of preventable injury in children, are usually caused by soups and instant noodles, with 20% of pediatric injuries caused by these products according to a study presented at the AAP national conference and exhibition.
"I think pediatricians have an important role to play in preventing these injuries, especially pediatricians in general," Courttney Allen, DO, an Emory Emergency Medicine Fellow, said Infectious Diseases in Children. "At each visit and annual review, pediatricians give anticipation advice. I think it's very important to discuss this topic when kids become more mobile, independent and curious. We must remind parents that children who are able to hold a cup and walk can be distracted and may not be as well coordinated.
Allen analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System to determine the number of pediatric patients treated between January 2006 and December 2016 for burns related to instant soup, instant noodles and cup products, as well as heated water for making soup. Children included in the analysis were between 4 and 12 years old.
According to data collected by the surveillance system, 4,518 burns were reported during the study period. In the United States, an estimated 9,521 children aged 4 to 12 years are affected by burns each year. Instant soups accounted for 21.5% of cases and the average age of patients was 7.22 years. Nearly half of the patients were men and, when the breed was declared, 48.8% of the patients were black.
Research at the AAP national conference and exhibition shows that instant soups, noodles and potted products are responsible for almost 25% of children's burns.
Source: CDC
Burns were most commonly affected on the trunk (40.1%). Almost all injuries were treated in the emergency department and left the initial visit (90.4%). No deaths have been reported.
"Children need to be properly supervised," Allen said. "This is the main form of prevention [of soup-related scald injuries]. I think education is the first step in getting that message out to parents and pediatricians. Further research is needed to see if something can be adjusted with the product design to make it safer. " – by Katherine Bortz
Reference:
Allen C et al. Instant soup burns in children. Presented at: AAP National Conference & Exhibition; November 2 to 6, 2018; Orlando, Florida
Disclosure: Allen does not report any relevant financial information.
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