Deep Partial Scald Burn in a Neonate: A Case Report of the First Documented Domestic Neonatal Burn

Abstract

No previous publication about domestic neonatal burns exists in the literature. The authors have treated a 16-day-old baby boy for deep partial-thickness scalds that happened at home. The case report is followed by a literature review and discussion of the data previously published on neonatal burns. Special considerations to domestic neonatal burns are highlighted. A 16-day-old baby boy presented to our emergency room secondary to an 18% TBSA scald burn by hot tea. The patient was resuscitated and admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. Topical wound care, although started with fusidic acid ointment, was changed to Aquacel Ag Hydrofiber dressing once the final depth assessment was performed. The child's wounds, although deep at some areas, healed by day 11 without the need for skin grafting. Neonatal burns have been previously described as iatrogenic injuries caused by various thermal sources. Part of the challenge in managing burns is their extremely thin skin. Possibility of the burn being inflicted should always be raised for such young victims. Burn wounds are tetanus-prone wounds; however, no previous recommendation regarding tetanus immunoglobulin administration exists for neonatal burns. Aquacel Ag's efficacy in the management of pediatric partial-thickness burns has been documented extensively and from our limited experience, it seems appropriate for managing neonatal burns. Although neonatal burns need some special considerations during treatment, the cornerstones of pediatric burn management still apply. The role of tetanus immunoglobulin still needs to be studied.