Burning Mechanism Research Articles

The Impact of COVID-19 on Adult Burn Management in the United Kingdom: A Regional Center Experience.

In this study, the authors aim to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on burns provision at an adult regional burn centre. Two cohorts of patients were identified for comparison: one during the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown in April 2020 and a comparator cohort in April 2019. There was a 30% decrease in the incidence of adult burns in 2020. The mean total body surface area (TBSA) was 1.8% and 4.3% in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Scald injuries were the commonest mechanism of burns in both cohorts. Depth of burns were deeper in 2019, with 17.6% of patients presenting with deep burns, compared with 9.6% in 2020. 8% of patients in 2019 required theatre compared with zero patients in 2020. A similar percentage of patients were admitted in both cohorts. In 2019, admitted patients had an average inpatient stay of 0.57 days per TBSA. In 2020, the average stay per TBSA in all patients was 0.6 days and 1.5 days in survivors. In the lockdown period, 54% of patients were followed up by telemedicine. This difficult period has taught us how important a functioning healthcare system is and how we can be better prepared in the future.

Reducing pain through distraction therapy in small acute paediatric burns

IntroductionThe majority of patients who sustained small (low % total body surface area [TBSA]) burns are assessed in an outpatient setting. This can be a traumatic experience, particularly, for paediatric patients. During the initial assessment pharmacological and non-pharmacological adjuncts, such as distraction therapy, can be employed to provide an environment that may reduce and minimise distress.In this study, we investigated whether distraction therapy reduces objective pain scores during the outpatient assessment of small acute burns in children. MethodsTwo cohorts of patients were formed. In the first group (group A), the children received analgesia and routine nursing care. In the second group (group B), the children received specialist distraction therapy in addition to the same analgesia and nursing care.We recorded patient demographics, TBSA, anatomical sites and mechanism of burn. The Wong Baker™ visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to convert perceived pain, as reported by the patient or parent, into a numerical value at three set intervals during the consultation. Results50 patients were recruited with 32 patients in group A and 18 in group B. A larger TBSA positively correlated with higher pain scores (p < 0.05).At the start of the consultation the mean pain score without distraction therapy was 1.55 and with specialist distraction therapy was 0.33 (p < 0.05). The mean peak pain score during dressing change without distraction therapy was 6.80 and with specialist distraction was 4.47 (p < 0.05). At the end of the procedure, the mean pain score was 2.12 without distraction therapy and with specialist distraction 1.75. ConclusionThis study of pain scores in small acute paediatric burns has shown that distraction therapy provided by a qualified play specialist can reduce maximal pain by over 2 points on the Wong-Baker™ VAS. Consideration should be given to ensure that distraction therapy is available at all times during initial consultations for children who have sustained small burns.

Burning dynamics and in-depth flame spread of wood cribs in large compartment fires

Wood cribs pervade the fire research literature as the chosen fuel load for testing within the built environment. As such, the underpinning knowledge of fire behaviour in compartments was developed from experiments using wood cribs in small compartments. Despite the apparent incomparability of porous fuel-beds such as cribs to real solid fuels in the built environment, the role of the fuel mass transfer number (“B-Number”) in defining the compartment fire dynamics has received little attention. In the case of large open-plan compartments, the burning processes are strongly dependant on the relationship of the fuel nature and compartment geometry. To address these limitations, the physical processes in-depth and external to a spreading wood crib fire in a compartment are examined. A theory to couple these processes to a compartment is proposed and analogised into the classical “Emmons problem”, leading to a definition of a total mass transfer number for a wood crib. Comparing the theory against data from a large-scale experiment shows that the wood crib approximates steady-state burning in two regimes: a fuel-bed-controlled regime and a momentum-controlled regime. The fuel-bed-controlled regime occurs when the burning and spread rates are governed by the processes internal to the crib, and the fire behaviour is therefore defined by the crib geometry. This regime is characterised by a fire that travels or grows slowly, with small external heat fluxes. The momentum-controlled regime occurs when the fire is fully-developed and the external heat fluxes are very large. Burning rates are controlled by the residence time, with the compartment fire dynamics defined by complex transport processes associated with the momentum-driven flows external to the crib. Transitions from the fuel-bed-controlled regime to the momentum-controlled regime are driven by accelerations in the flame spread rate along the surface of the crib leading to an additional energy input mechanism that is used to raise the in-depth flame spread rate of the crib. It is hypothesised that the burning mechanisms of fuels with large mass transfer numbers, such as non-charring plastics, diverge significantly from wood cribs, and therefore extrapolating test data from wood cribs fires in compartments to real fuels must be done with extreme caution. Thus, the nature of the fuel is an important and unavoidable consideration when studying the fire dynamics of large open-plan compartments.

Ignition of nanothermites by a laser diode pulse

Experimental investigation has been carried out for laser ignition and combustion of nanothermites based on aluminum and oxides of copper, bismuth and molybdenum. Ultrasonic mixing of nanosized powders was used to produce compositions. For thermite ignition, initiating laser pulse with a maximum intensity of 770 W/cm2 was generated by a laser diode with a wavelength of 808 nm. The ignition delay times, the minimum initiation energy density, and the average burning rate at various thermite densities and mass fractions of components were determined by recording the emission of radiation of the reaction products using a multichannel pyrometer jointly with a high-speed video camera. The effect of adding carbon black on the threshold parameters of a laser pulse was also studied. Based on the obtained results, certain assumptions were put forward with regard to the mechanism of nanothermites’ ignition by laser radiation and their burning. In particular, the assumptions were made on the two-stage process of the reaction initiation and jet burning mechanism of porous nanothermites.

Making Microwave Oven Doors Child Resistant to Protect Young Children From Severe Scalds.

Most severe child scalds in the United States involve food and beverages. The wide variety of burn mechanisms, however, makes prevention challenging. Over the past 15 years, we have worked toward protecting young children from 1 specific mechanism: children opening microwave oven doors themselves and spilling the heated contents, resulting in often severe scalds. In our published research, we documented the frequency and severity of these cases and the vulnerability of young toddlers to be burned in this way. We have presented our findings and ideas for prevention at multiple national meetings and enlisted college engineering students to design microwave doors that would thwart a young child from opening them. In 2017, we became active members of a national task group convened by Underwriters Laboratories to address this issue, and two authors became voting members on the Underwriters Laboratories Standards Technical Panel for microwave ovens. We worked with microwave manufacturers and others for >1 year to address concerns of the industry, including those related to potential impacts on older adults. This effort resulted in the task group proposing a change in the standard, requiring "two distinct actions" to open the door of a microwave oven. On September 17, 2018, the panel voted to pass the measure, which will require child-resistant doors for all new microwave ovens in 2023. This report highlights how research can inform and support child injury prevention advocacy. Children will now be protected from this type of scald as microwaves with child-resistant doors replace current models.

Surface burn behavior in creep-feed deep grinding of gamma titanium aluminide intermetallics: characterization, mechanism, and effects

This article presents the surface burn behavior when creep-feed grinding gamma titanium aluminide (γ-TiAl) intermetallic. First, the main characteristics of burnt surface morphology were detected. Subsequently, surface burn mechanism was revealed by analyzing compositional changes in the surface layer via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Lastly, the effects of grinding temperature on grinding force and surface integrity were discussed. Finding showed that a high grinding temperature would lead to a heavy color, from light brown to hyacinthine, on the burnt surface. The burning process was dominated by oxidation of Ti and Al. Ti was generally in the state of TiO2 on the ground surface, whereas lower valence oxide of Ti was found on the subsurface. This oxide layer could produce a reduced ratio of the tangential grinding force to the normal one. Elevated temperature would produce grinding and quenching cracks on a burnt surface, and tensile residual stress might be developed if the temperature is extremely high. Surface morphology and topography characteristics indicated that, unlike conventional titanium alloys (e.g., Ti-6Al-4V), a marginal physical reaction occurred on the workpiece surface during the burning process of γ-TiAl intermetallics due to poor material ductility.

The demographics and outcomes of burn patients admitted to Worcester Hospital

Background Worcester Hospital is a regional healthcare facility in the Western Cape, South Africa, without a dedicated burns unit. Currently there is limited data available of burns patient management outside of academic institutions in South Africa. To describe the incidence and demographics, and to determine the outcomes of burn patients admitted to Worcester Hospital. Methodology A retrospective descriptive study of burn patients admitted to Worcester Hospital between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017. Results A total of 66 burn patients were included in this study which accounted for 1.6% of the total surgical admissions for this time period. The mean age of the patients was 39 (SD ± 19) years with a male predominance (59%). The mechanism of burn was mostly flame burns (71%); 16 patients (24%) were burned with hot fluids and 3 patients (5%) sustained electrical burns. The median TBSA was 9% (IQR: 5-28). Ten patients (15%) required critical care unit admission. The burn patients' median length of stay was 6 days (IQR: 2-11 days) versus 2 days (IQR: 1-5 days) for non-burn general surgery patients. Fifty burn patients (76%) required surgical intervention comprising of either debridement or skin grafting, or a combination of this. Forty-four patients (67%) underwent skin grafting procedures and the median TBSA grafted was 5% (IQR: 3.5-9.5). The median time from admission to first surgical procedure was 25 hours (IQR: 18.33-51.08). The in-hospital mortality rate was 23% and of the 15 mortalities, 9 patients (60%) had TBSA of 30% or more and therefore classified as a major burn. Conclusion Burn injuries treated at Worcester Hospital are often severe and require significant resources. This study supplies critical information regarding the burden of burn related injuries managed at a regional level.

Defining corneal chemical burns: A novel exact and adjustable ocular model.

Live-animal-free ocular toxicity models and tests are a necessity in multiple branches of medicine, industry and science. Corneal models with adjustable ranges of injury severities do not exist. In this work, a novel and precise and dose - response method to induce and observe ex vivo corneal chemical burns has been established. The EVEIT (Ex Vivo Eye Irritation Test) is based on an ex vivo corneal organ model for rabbit corneas from food industry. Further, a highly precise three - axis workstation has been employed to apply liquid corrosive, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), droplets in a nanolitre (nL) range onto the corneal surface. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has been used to observe and quantify the elicited changes in the corneal layers. The speed and intervals of single nanodroplet application played a crucial role in the extent of the corneal changes. Similar total volumes applied at low frequencies elicited deep and extensive changes in the corneal layers whereas high application frequencies elicited comparatively superficial changes. Increasing NaOH concentrations effected measurably increasing corneal changes. Increasing the volume of applied NaOH also showed an increase in corneal changes. OCT imaging proved to be effective in observing, documenting and quantifying the changes in the corneal layers. The ex vivo model, in conjunction with the novel application method was able to induce and display distinctive and consistent correlations between NaOH volume, concentration and elicited corneal changes. This ex vivo ocular chemical burn model provides a consistent in vitro basis for pharmaceutical and toxicological experiments and investigations into corneal chemical burn mechanisms and treatment.

High‐efficiencyammonium polyphosphate intumescent encapsulated polypropylene flame retardant

AbstractThe flame retardant polypropylene containing the micro‐envelope core‐shell structure flame retardant, which encapsulated ammonium polyphosphate into melamine‐formaldehyde resin and sodium silicate through in situ polymerization was prepared with polyamide 6, added as a carbon‐forming agent. The composition of ammonium polyphosphate, encapsulated ammonium polyphosphate with melamine‐formaldehyde resin and the micro‐envelope core‐shell structure flame retardant were characterized. The fire safety and thermal stability were investigated and showed an improvement including limiting oxygen index, thermogravimetric analysis, vertical burning tests, and microscale combustion calorimeter. The burned compounds were also studied to confirm the burning mechanism. The results showed the flame retardant performance had been greatly improved, while polyamide 6 had better char‐forming effect. Besides, the water solubility of flame retardants and their influence on the mechanical properties of polypropylene were also investigated. The results on the effects of additives demonstrated a high efficiency flame retardant to polypropylene. A core‐shell flame retardant that sodium silicate and melamine‐formaldehyde resin‐coated ammonium polyphosphate had been constructed. The effect of the built flame retardant system on the combustion performance of polypropylene was studied from the mechanism and performance. The LOI of the most flame retardant polypropylene reached 28.6%, and UL‐94 reached the V‐0 level.

Hypothermia in acutely presenting burn injuries to a regional burn service: The incidence and impact on outcome

BackgroundHypothermia in burns has been associated with increased mortality when adjusting for burn severity. This study looks at the incidence of hypothermia among burn patients presenting acutely to the Pietermaritzburg Burn Service and its impact on patient outcome specifically sepsis and mortality. MethodologyA retrospective review was conducted using the existing burns database. All acute burns admissions to the PBS between 1 February 2016 and 31January 2018 were considered. Variables analyzed include: Age, Gender, time from burn to admission, mechanism of burn, total body surface area (TBSA), inhalation burn and intubation, admission temperature, time to first septic episode, length of stay and final outcome. Hypothermia was defined as body temperature less than 36 degrees Celsius. ResultsThree-hundred-and-one patients were included in the study. Thirty-four percent were hypothermic. In the paediatric patients, age and TBSA were significant predictors of hypothermia. There was an association between hypothermia and the incidence of sepsis and time to first episode of sepsis in this group. In the adult population, TBSA and the presence of inhalation injury both had a significant impact on hypothermia. In this group, there was an association between hypothermia and length of hospital stay as well as mortality. ConclusionHypothermia in acutely presenting burn injuries has a significant impact on outcome. In paediatric patients this is an increase in early sepsis and in adults patients an increase in length of hospital stay and mortality. Efforts need to be made, right from the pre-hospital setting, to ensure patient warming to prevent hypothermia.

The effect of burn mechanism on pediatric mortality in Malawi: A propensity weighted analysis

IntroductionThe burden of global trauma disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, with a high incidence in children. Thermal injury represents one of the most severe forms of trauma and is associated with remarkable morbidity and mortality. The predictors of burn mortality have been well described (age, % total body surface area burn [TBSA], and presence of inhalation injury). However, the contribution of the burn mechanism as a predictor of burn mortality is not well delineated. MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data, utilizing the Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) Burn Surveillance Registry from May 2011 to August 2019. Pediatric patients (≤12 years) with flame and scald burns were included in the study. Basic demographic variables including sex, age, time to presentation, %TBSA, surgical intervention, burn mechanism, and in-hospital mortality outcome was collected. Bivariate analysis comparing demographic, burn characteristics, surgical intervention, and patient outcomes were performed. Standardized estimates were adjusted using inverse-probability of treatment weights (IPTW) to account for confounding. Following weighting, logistic regression modeling was performed to determine the odds of in-hospital mortality based on burn mechanism. ResultsDuring the study period, 2364 patients presented to KCH for burns and included in the database with 1794 (75.9%) pediatric patients. Of these, 488 (27.6%) and 1280 (72.4%) were injured by flame and scald burns, respectively. Males were 47.2% (n = 230) and 59.2% (n = 755) of the flame and scald burn cohorts, respectively (p < 0.001.) Patients presenting with flame burns compared to scald burns were older (4. 7 ± 3.1 vs. 2.7 ± 2.3 years, p < 0.001) with greater %TBSA burns (17.8 [IQR 10–28] vs 12 [IQR 7–20], p < 0.001). Surgery was performed for 42.2% (n = 206) and 19.9% (n = 140) of the flame and scald burn cohorts, respectively (p < 0.001.) Flame burns had a 2.6x greater odds of in-hospital mortality compared to scald burns (p < 0.001) after controlling for sex, %TBSA, age, time to presentation, and surgical status. ConclusionIn this propensity-weighted analysis, we show that burn mechanism, specifically flame burns, resulted in a nearly 3-fold increase in odds of in-hospital mortality compared to scald burns. Our results emphasize flame and scald burns have major differences in the inflammatory response, metabolic profile over time, and outcomes. We may further utilize these differences to develop specialized treatments for each burn mechanism to potentially prevent metabolic dysfunction and improve clinical outcomes.

Stable dual-wavelength laser incorporating polarization-maintaining erbium-doped fiber

A stable dual-wavelength erbium-doped fiber laser is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The mode competition in the gain medium was suppressed by enhancing the polarization hole burning mechanism through incorporation of polarization maintaining erbium-doped fiber and nonlinear polarization rotation. The fiber laser displayed high stability with lasing side-mode suppression ratios of 60.69 and 60.57 dB. Additionally, the negligible peak power fluctuation of 0.01 dB was achieved at 1557.17 and 1560.19 nm with both peak powers of 0.23 mW and 3-dB bandwidth of 0.028 and 0.025 nm, respectively. These findings provide insights for an enhanced seed laser source design for remote dual-wavelength fiber laser applications.

Imaging judgment of soft tissue and vascular injuries in limbs with high-voltage electric burn and its clinical significance

The injury mechanism of high-voltage electric burn in limbs is complex and special. The soft tissue and vascular injuries caused by high-voltage electric burn are serious and concealed. It is difficult to judge the severity and extent of injury before surgery, which affects the diagnosis and treatment effects and remains a major problem in burn field. In recent decades, a series of clinical studies have been conducted by scholars at home and abroad, using various imaging methods for the judgment of soft tissue and vascular injuries, which have their own advantages and disadvantages. According to the principle of accuracy, precision, safety, and easy operation, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography are required at the same time in general for the imaging judgment of soft tissue and vascular injuries in limbs with high-voltage electric burn. The B-mode ultrasonography shall be performed if a precise judgment of vascular injury is needed.

Epidemiology and Management of Pediatric Head and Neck Burns: An Institutional Review.

Pediatric head and neck burns (HNBs) require special attention due to the potential for long-term disfigurement, functional impairment, and psychosocial stigma. We performed a retrospective review of patients <18years old admitted to Grady Memorial Hospital with a diagnosis of HNB from 2009-2017. Demographic data, burn characteristics, management, and hospital course were analyzed. Of the 272 patients included, 65.4% were male with a mean age of 63.2months. Burn mechanism was primarily secondary to scalding liquids (70.2%) or flames (23.9%). The average total body surface area involved was 10.3%, and 3.0% for the head/neck. Average length of stay was 5.2days and overall mortality was 1.1%. Twenty-five patients (9.2%) required surgery in the acute setting, and 5 (1.8%) required secondary surgery for hypertrophic scarring or contracture. Pediatric HNBs occur most commonly in males <6years old secondary to scalding liquids or open flames. Most patients can be managed nonoperatively without long-term sequelae.

The Dripping Behaviors of PE Metal Sandwich Panel Insulation material at Different Powers

An experimental study on the characteristics of molten drop and flame spread of metal polyethylene (PE) cladding panel is presented. The parameters investigated include mass loss rate, the mass of the melting part and the average flame height. The effects of fire source power on the flame spread and melt drop are studied. The results show that the sandwich panel combustion can be divided into the surface of the sandwich panel and the dripping combustion. With the increase of power,the time interval between melting drops becomes smaller and the flame pulsation frequency increases. which causes the temperature change range getting larger, the mass loss rate and mass of the melting part and the average flame height increase under all conditions. The mass loss rate and the area of combustion of the metal sandwich panel depend on the degree of surface burning. There is a certain relationship between oil pool fire average flame height, and the distance between sample and the oil pan(D). It is found that when D ≤ 1.4m, with the rise of D. oil pool fire average flame height decreases. However, when D ≥ 1.4m, the fire flame intensity of the oil pool is determined by the number of extinguished droplets before the drops hit the oil pan, and the flame parameters of the oil pool are basically stable. The influence mechanism and law of oil pool fire burning of PE metal sandwich panel insulation materials are revealed.

Recording Patient Data in Burn Unit Logbooks in Rwanda: Who and What Are We Missing?

Systematic data collection in high-income countries has demonstrated a decreasing burn morbidity and mortality, whereas lack of data from low- and middle-income countries hinders a global overview of burn epidemiology. In low- and middle-income countries, dedicated burn registries are few. Instead, burn data are often recorded in logbooks or as one variable in trauma registries, where incomplete or inconsistently recorded information is a known challenge. The University Teaching Hospital of Kigali hosts the only dedicated burn unit in Rwanda and has collected data on patients admitted for acute burn care in logbooks since 2005. This study aimed to assess the data registered between January 2005 and December 2019, to evaluate the extent of missing data, and to identify possible factors associated with “missingness.” All data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. In this study, 1093 acute burn patients were included and 64.2% of them had incomplete data. Data completeness improved significantly over time. The most commonly missing variables were whether the patient was referred from another facility and information regarding whether any surgical intervention was performed. Missing data on burn mechanism, burn degree, and surgical treatment were associated with in-hospital mortality. In conclusion, missing data is frequent for acute burn patients in Rwanda, although improvements have been seen over time. As Rwanda and other low- and middle-income countries strive to improve burn care, ensuring data completeness will be essential for the ability to accurately assess the quality of care, and hence improve it.

Childhood exhaust burns in rural and remote regions.

Pediatric burns are a leading cause of childhood injuries, having significant physical and psychological impact on both parents and children . Although scald injuries remain the most common mechanism of pediatric burns, several studies in Australia have observed a rising trend of vehicle exhaust system-related burns in children. Motorbikes are a frequent cause of the exhaust burn and many occur outside of metropolitan regions, where motorbikes remain a common and readily available mode of recreation and/or transport.

Treatment of Partial Thickness Burns: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Four Routinely Used Burns Dressings in an Ambulatory Care Setting.

This prospective, randomized controlled trial study compared the effects of four dressings for adult partial thickness burns, focusing on re-epithelialization time and cost effectiveness. Adults with partial thickness burns meeting inclusion criteria were randomized to either Biobrane™, Acticoat™, Mepilex® Ag, or Aquacel® Ag. Primary endpoint for analysis was >95% re-epithelialization. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated based on dressing costs. Dominance probabilities between treatment arms were calculated from bootstrap resampling trial data. One hunderd thirty-one partial thickness burn wounds in 119 patients were randomized. Adjusting for sex, age, smoking status, burn mechanism, TBSA, and first aid adequacy, Mepilex® Ag had a reduced time to re-epithelialization compared to Biobrane™ (IRR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.07-1.48, P < .01). Economic analysis showed that there was a 99%, 71%, and 53% probability that Mepilex® Ag dominated (cheaper and more effective) Biobrane™, Acticoat™, and Aquacel® Ag, respectively. Mepilex® Ag achieved faster re-epithelialization and better cost effectiveness. Patient satisfaction and comfort seems better with Biobrane™ although not reflected within the end outcome of the healed wound. It is the patients' (after extensive education) and clinicians' choice, level of experience, and availability of products in praxis that will guide the decision as to which the product is used individually on which patient.

Serious Inhalation Injuries From Military Operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.

To characterize serious inhalation injuries seen during recent military operations, and assess whether bronchoscopic severity findings were associated with clinical presentation and outcomes. Service members who suffered inhalation injuries while deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, or Syria from 2001-2018 were identified using ICD-9 and 10 codes from the Expeditionary Medical Encounter Database (EMED), which is abstracted from patient records in forward-deployed medical facilities. Further information including demographics, mechanism of injury, mortality, total burn surface area (TBSA), degree of facial burn, total Injury Severity Score (ISS), and first post-injury bronchoscopy notes were collected. Patients were excluded with ISS less than 16 or without sufficient details regarding bronchoscopy. Injuries were grouped based on bronchoscopic Abbreviated Injury Scores (AIS) into low-grade (AIS of 1), moderate-grade (AIS of 2), or high-grade (AIS of 3 or 4). 91 patients met inclusion criteria, with no significant differences in age, gender, paygrade, or service branch between degrees of injury. There were no statistical correlations between grade of injury and battle versus non-battle injury, blast versus non-blast mechanism, TBSA, or degree of facial burn. High-grade injuries had significantly higher ISS than low or moderate-grade injuries. After adjusting for ISS, the odds ratio of death was 10.4 (95% CI 1.47 to 74.53) for those with high-grade and 3.7 (95% CI 0.45 to 32.30) for those with moderate-grade compared to low-grade injuries. In this cohort of deployed military members with inhalation injuries, initial bronchoscopic severity findings are strongly associated with mortality even after adjusting for ISS. The AIS may be an important prognostic tool in all of those with serious inhalation injuries.

Steam inhalation: More harm than good? Perspective from a UK burns centre

IntroductionSteam inhalation is common practice in UK households for coryzal symptoms in adults and children. Steam inhalation has the potential to and has caused significant scald injuries, predominantly due to unintentional contact with the hot water used. MethodsThe authors used electronic health records to retrospectively identify all patients admitted with scald injuries secondary to steam inhalation over a 2-year period from January 2018-December 2019 at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, a regional burns centre. Data collected included patient demographics, mechanism of burn, as well as burn size, depth, treatment and any associated complications. An International Burns Injury Database enquiry assessed the national prevalence steam inhalation scalds over the same time period. Results19 adult and paediatric patients were identified in our centre over a 2-year period, with an age range of 2 weeks to 91 years old. The majority (16/19, 84%) of patients received burns to their lower body, with three patients receiving burns to their chest and/or upper limbs. Six patients underwent surgery, 98 clinic appointments were utilised and the total length of hospital stay was 83 days. The estimated total cost of treating these 19 patients was over £31,872. Nationally, 201 cases were identified between Jan 2018–Dec 2019. ConclusionsScald injuries secondary to steam inhalation have a significant impact both in terms of hospital stay and cost. Since this study captured only patients admitted to hospital, the true negative impact of steam inhalation is likely to be much higher than calculated. Better public awareness on the risks of steam inhalation and primary prevention policies could reduce the frequency of such injuries.