Research indicates that ramen noodles contribute to 1 in 5 scald burn in children

Fast and cheap meals, ramen noodles are a staple for busy students and parents. But noodles can have disadvantages and it's not their lack of nutritional value.

• According to CNN, a study recently presented at the National Conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 1 in 5 overheating burns in children is caused by instant soups such as ramen.

• "I think it's assumed that these products are safer than soups coming out of a stove," said Dr. Courtney Allen of Emory University, according to CNN.

• Allen led the research behind the ramen burn study, which examined more than 4,500 pediatric scald burns over 11 years of data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System.

• Researchers found 972 injuries caused by microwave products, CNN reported.

• The researchers found that scald-related burns associated with instant soups and noodles affect more than 9,500 children ages 4 to 12 each year, according to a press release from Emory University. The most common age for a ramen burn was 7 years old.

Other reports: Allen and his team are not the only ones who have warned against the risk of instant soup burns.

• "The noodles stick to the child's skin and cause an even deeper and more penetrating burn than the liquid," she said in a statement posted on the hospital's website.

• CNN has reported that some children with ramen burns even needed a skin graft.

Bottom line: Thus, although ramen are very practical, parents may want to make sure to keep an eye on their children in the kitchen and not cut corners in safety.

"If you let your kids cook, transport and consume these products independently, they need proper monitoring," Allen said.