NCJ Number
163329
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: (August 1996) Pages: 214-217
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Many young children are accidentally scalded by hot liquids, but scalds may also result from abuse or neglect; the proportion of tap water scalds due to abuse or neglect is generally considered to be higher than that for other types of scald injuries.
Abstract
One study indicates that 70 percent of alleged perpetrators of burn and scald abuse are females and that 52 percent involve mothers. Injury from tap water scalds depends on water temperature and time of contact with the skin. Mechanisms in abusive tap water scalds include the following: child is immersed forcibly in the bathtub or sink; child is held under flowing hot water; wet cloth is held against the child's skin; and hot water is splashed or thrown onto the child. All tap water scalds need to be carefully considered from a child protection viewpoint. Investigation requires a coordination effort involving medical personnel, child protection professionals, and police officers. Explanations for scald accidents are noted, and features to guide the diagnosis of abusive tap water scalds are listed. 10 references and 2 tables