Injury In Young Children Research Articles

Subconjunctival Hemorrhages Are Rare Among Infants With Cough and Gastrointestinal Conditions.

Subconjunctival hemorrhages (SCHs) are uncommon injuries in young children beyond the neonatal period and have been associated with abuse. In otherwise well infants, they are sometimes attributed to commonly observed symptoms that invoke Valsalva maneuvers, such as cough, vomiting, and constipation. Our study aims to ascertain the prevalence of SCH among children presenting to emergency care with cough, vomiting, and constipation. We conducted a cross-sectional secondary analysis of a prospectively collected dataset of children aged 1 month to 3 years presenting to a tertiary pediatric emergency department (ED). Children with and without SCH were identified at the time of their examination by ED providers. Children were assigned to Valsalva symptom groups of cough, vomiting, and/or constipation based on review of the ICD-10 codes associated with the ED encounter. Descriptive statistics and prevalence were calculated for each group. Chi-square testing of proportions was used to compare the prevalence of SCH based on the presence or absence of the 3 symptoms of interest. Four thousand seven hundred seventeen qualifying ED encounters were captured, with 2 total cases of SCH identified (0.4 per 1000). SCHs were uncommonly observed in patients with cough (0.5 per 1000), vomiting (0 per 1000), and constipation (0 per 1000). We found no significant differences in the prevalence of SCH based on the presence or absence of cough (P = 0.87), vomiting (P = 0.52), or constipation (P = 0.82). SCH is an uncommon finding in children under 3 years and is similarly uncommon among children with cough, vomiting, or constipation. It should not be attributed to uncomplicated presentations of cough, vomiting, or constipation, and alternative diagnoses, including abuse, should be carefully considered in the differential diagnosis of SCH.

Adverse childhood experiences and brain injury in younger children: Findings from the 2021–2022 National Survey of Children’s Health

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of this study was to extend on previous research finding by investigating adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and brain injury in children younger than 12 years old. Methods A total of 58,601 US children under 12 years old were included in the 2020–2021 National Survey of Children’s Health, a self-reported national survey administered to caregivers. Results ACEs were significantly associated with increased risk for unconfirmed (χ2 (55891, 55904) = 141.84, p < 0.001, R2 = .03) and confirmed brain injury, χ2 (56481, 56494) = 508.28, p < 0.001, R2 = .05 when accounting for demographic characteristics. The association between ACEs and brain injury was not contingent on sports involvement; females not involved in sports had the strongest association between ACEs and brain injury (χ2 (10938, 10951) = 99.40, p < 0.001, R2 = .03) compared to sports-involved females and males. For children under 12 years old with brain injury, the relations between experiencing at least one ACE and health and educational outcomes were significant for all health and educational outcomes (p < 0.001). Conclusions Caregiver education on and screening for brain injury in families experiencing ACEs would likely support more timely identification and management of co-occurring brain injury in this population. Further research is needed to identify prevention, assessment, and management strategies that would be specifically beneficial to children at risk for co-occurring brain injury and ACEs to improve health and educational outcomes.

Transepiphyseal Separation of Distal Humerus in Young Children: An Often-Missed Fracture – A Case Report

Background: Transphyseal fracture of the distal humerus (TFDH) is a rare injury in young children. Clinical and radiological examinations can be unclear, leading to delayed diagnosis. The absence of the ossification center of the capitellum complicates the radiological diagnosis and is often reported as an elbow dislocation. Case Report: A 1-year-old boy with a left elbow injury following a crush by a cart presented to our department with polytrauma. Radiographs showed a medial displacement of the radius and ulna relative to the humerus with a metaphyseal spike, suggestive of TFDH. Surgical reduction and fixation with Kirschner wires were performed, with good recovery at 6 months. Conclusion: Awareness of TFDH is crucial for proper diagnosis. Radiographic findings of posteromedial displacement suggest TFDH, which can be confirmed with ultrasound.

A Systemic Review of Adolescent Supracondylar Fractures: What Is the Surgical Treatment, Open Reduction With Internal Fixation (ORIF) or Closed Reduction With Percutaneous Pinning (CRPP)?

Supracondylar humerus (SCH) fractures represent the most frequent elbow injury in young children. These fractures can be treated through either closed reduction with percutaneous pinning (CRPP) or open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF). Yet, the optimal treatment option for adolescents remains unclear. This research contrasts the results of CRPP and ORIF treatments for distal humerus fractures in adolescents. In June 2023, we conducted a comprehensive search of PUBMED, OVID MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and various trial registries without any time restrictions. We evaluated the quality of qualifying studies using the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS) and Cochrane risk measures for bias. We extracted data particularly related to patient demographics, fracture details, medical procedures followed, complications encountered, and the resulting outcomes. Out of the 488 studies identified, only four satisfied the inclusion criteria. Both methods illustrated comparable outcomes in terms of range of motion, averaging approximately 118 degrees in the ORIF group versus a span of 114 to 128 degrees in the CRPP group. The immobilization period varied, spanning 10 to 13 days for ORIF versus 24 to 29 days for CRPP. Despite this, CRPP displayed a decreased necessity for additional surgery. Notably, one study indicated a higher frequency of heterotopic ossification within the ORIF group. This review indicates that both CRPP and ORIF are effective for treating supracondylar fractures in adolescents, yielding similar results. However, CRPP has a lower need for follow-up surgery. Future studies with larger sample sizes are needed to solidify these findings, providing stronger guidance for treatment.

Repositioning of herniated buccal fat pad following blunt trauma - Rare case report in pediatric patients

Herniation of the buccal fat pad in pediatric patients is a rare injury, occurring due to a breach in the buccinator muscle, often termed traumatic pseudolipoma in infants. This condition plays a crucial role in cheek contour in adults. Two case reports detailing the management of this rare injury in young children emphasize the importance of assessing mucosal perforation and considering previous trauma history for accurate diagnosis. These reports provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals, contributing to the understanding and management of uncommon medical conditions.

Radiology diagnostics of spinal corel injury in early children: a prospective study

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord injury (SCI) in young children includes a relatively higher prevalence of cervical spine injury, multiple thoracic vertebral compression fractures, and spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries without radiological changes/signs of fractures or dislocations (SCIWORA) also occur in young children. X-ray assessment of damage to immature vertebrae and cartilage in young children is difficult, since incompletely formed vertebral bodies can be confused with fractures. Accordingly, an MRI is required, which provides a detailed anatomical image of all structures of the spinal column and also diagnoses damage to the spinal cord, ligaments and muscles.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibilities of methods of radiation diagnosis of spinal cord injury in young children (up to 3 years).MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 children aged from 11 months up to 3 years old were studied with spinal cord injury. X-ray, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed. The standard MRI protocol for SCI in children under 3 years of age included: MR myelography in the coronary and sagittal projections, sagittal projection STIR, DTI and T2WI FS SE, axial projection T2WI FS SE or T2*WI FS GE; coronary projection T2WI SE; 3D T1WI FS GE before and after contrast enhancement.RESULTS: An analysis of the data of patients included in the category of polytrauma was carried out. The causes of SCI in these patients were road accidents and falls from various heights. X-ray and CT scans were uninformative, and had large discrepancies with MRI results. All anatomical and morphological changes revealed by MRI correlated well with clinical manifestations and corresponded to the classification of the level and severity of spinal cord injury (ASIA). An increase in the volume and change in the signal of the spinal cord due to edema and / or hemorrhage in the spinal cord is the main sign of damage to the spinal cord, and is best indicated on T2WI and STIR, as a hyperintense signal.DISCUSSION: MRI is critical in the emergency assessment of spinal cord injury or compression to predict the outcome of SCI. There is currently no spinal cord imaging technique that can compete with MRI. Increased volume and signal changes in the spinal cord due to edema and/or hemorrhage are a sign of spinal cord injury and are best demonstrated on T2WI and STIR as a hyperintense signal. Incomplete spinal cord injury is also manifested by a hyperintense signal on T2WI and/or FLAIR, which in intensity and extent correlates with the degree of injury. Hemorrhagic injuries are better detected using T2*GRE or SWI, and spinal cord edema is better detected using T2WI SE and STIR. In addition, STIR can identify bone marrow edema in injured vertebrae, even when the injury is not detected on CT.CONCLUSION: When performing MRI in patients with SCI, three quantitative parameters should be assessed: the maximum damage to the spinal cord, the maximum compression of the spinal cord, and the length of the affected area. In addition to the results of quantitative parameters, potential predictive qualitative MRI findings should be evaluated such as intramedullary hemorrhage, focal and diffuse spinal cord edema, soft tissue injury, probable stenosis before injury, and disc herniation.

Cutaneous functional units prediction in outcomes of early and intensive splinting following palmar burn injury in young children: a prospective study

BackgroundPalmar burn injuries are common in young children and can result in contracture. MethodsA prospective longitudinal study describes outcomes of palm and digit extension splint use following burn in 75 children (83 hands) aged < 5 years and determines whether specific cutaneous functional units (CFUs) are associated with early signs of contracture (ESC). Outcomes were assessed up to 9–18 months following burn. Routine clinical data was collected at therapy reviews. ResultsChildren were splinted > 12 h/day for a mean of 158 days following burn. The mean time to splint cessation was 264 days following burn. Fourteen hands developed ESC (17%): 12 hands had full ROM restored following conservative management, 2 hands (3%) progressed to contracture. Hands that developed ESC had greater healing time (p = 0.002), greater number of CFUs affected (p < 0.001), and greater number of immediate first webspace and extended first webspace CFUs affected (p = 0.002, p < 0.001 respectively). ESC risk increases for each day to heal (odds ratio [OR] 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.2) and each CFU in extended first webspace (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5–5.0). ConclusionEarly and intensive splinting following palmar burn results in excellent ROM. Burns involving more CFUs or the first webspace are associated with ESC.

Analysis of risk factors and outcomes of acute kidney injury in young children after cardiac surgery

The aim of this study was to analysis of risk factors and outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in young children with congenital heart disease (CHD) after cardiac surgery. The study included 137 young children with CHD after various types of cardiac surgery. The stages of AKI and indications for peritoneal dialysis (PD) were determined based of Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. The incidence of AKI in young children in the general group was 40.9% (n=56). Stage 1 AKI was diagnosed in 21.9% (n=29) of patients, stage 2 AKI in 12.4% (n=17), and stage 3 AKI in 7.3% (n=10) of patients. Peritoneal dialysis was performed in 11.7% (n=16) of children. The incidence of AKI development after radical correct transposition of the great vessels (TGV) was 55.5% (n=5), truncus arteriosus (TA) was 100%, pulmonary atresia (PA)=25%, tetralogy of Fallot (TF)=38.1%, total anomalous pulmonary vein drainage (TAPVD)=60%, partial anomalous pulmonary vein drainage (PAPVD)=37.5%, atrioventricular canal (AVC)=44.4%, double outlet of main vessels from the right ventricle (DOMV from the RV)=60% , interventricular septal defect with high pulmonary hypertension (VSD)=21.6%, and combined operations was 46.6%. The need for PD after TGV correction was 22.2% (n=2), after TA=100%, after TF=33.3%, after TAPVD=20%, after AVC=11.1%, after VSD=1.9%, and after combined operations was 13.3%. Risk factors for AKI in young children were: younger age, initial heart failure, type of operation, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic clamping (AC), low cardiac output syndrome, inotropic and vasopressor therapy, hyperlactatemia. The development of AKI led to increased length of stay in the intensive care unit, overall hospitalization and infant mortality.

Emerging progressive atypical acute kidney injury in young children linked to ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol intoxication.

There had been a sudden surge of unusually severe and rapidly progressing acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence in Indonesia since August 2022 which did not correspond to the rise of COVID-19 incidence. We suspected this was related to ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) intoxication. This study is aimed at describing the clinical and laboratory characteristics of AKI related to D(EG) intoxication in order to spread awareness of the possibility of intoxication in cases of rapidly progressing AKI with unknown etiology. We conducted a cross-sectional study by collecting secondary data from the pediatric AKI registry at a national referral hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. Data on children admitted from January to November 2022 with diagnosis of stage 3 AKI based on KDIGO criteria were included. Data regarding demographics, symptoms prior to anuria, laboratory results, infection panel including COVID-19 status, treatment administered, and mortality were analyzed. Sixteen patients tested positive for EG and DEG, all with history of consuming syrup-based medications. High anion gap metabolic acidosis was observed in majority of patients with mean pH 7.33 ± 0.07 and mean anion gap 15.6 ± 7.8mEq/L. No patient had high osmolal gap (mean osmolal gap 3.46 ± 4.68). One deceased patient, who had kidney biopsy performed, showed severe damage and calcium oxalate crystals in the kidney tissue. Mortality was recorded in six patients (37.5%). Careful history taking of patient's clinical course, including consumption of syrup-based medications and laboratory findings, might aid clinicians to establish a working diagnosis of D(EG) intoxication without needing to wait for blood toxicology test. Early diagnosis and therapy are crucial to prevent substantial mortality.

Gunshot Abdominal Injuries: A Report of Two Cases and a Review of the Literature.

Abdominal injuries in children caused by guns are a rare clinical entity globally. But, in countries with undefined legal regulations and in war zones, urban violence is a tremendous social problem among older children and adolescents. This manuscript provides details regarding two cases of severe gunshot injuries in young children. The injuries were very complicated and included damage to the parenchymatous and hollow organs and major blood vessels. The clinical presentation on admission was severe and dramatic, but the patients survived. However, one patient developed numerous complications that required repeated surgical interventions and long treatment. This article provides a detailed description of injuries and how to treat them. Patient care requires a multidisciplinary approach, and the initial decision on further treatment depends on the patient's hemodynamic stability.

Parent perspective of an intensive splinting intervention following palmar burn injury in young children

BackgroundParents may experience challenges implementing their child’s therapeutic treatment following burn. MethodsA mixed methods study was conducted to explore the parent experience of intensive splinting following palmar burns in young children (median age 16 months [IQR 14]). Thirteen parents were interviewed after cessation of their child’s splinting (mean 12 months [SD 2] following burn). Parent interviews were semi-structured with open-ended questions and conducted one-to-one. Inductive thematic analysis was completed by two researchers with consensus achieved through discussion and agreement from third researcher. Themes were triangulated with quantitative data, including range of motion (ROM), scar, developmental and quality of life outcomes. ResultsChildren used the splint intensively (>12–24 h/day) for median 179 days (IQR 74) with all splinting ceased by median 275 days (IQR 105). All children had full ROM at scar maturation. Thematic analysis revealed two main themes: parents perceive the impact of splinting to be greater on them than their child and parents perceive outcomes to be more important than burden. Parents described the importance of routine and therapeutic relationships in ongoing engagement with intervention. ConclusionParents consider intensive splinting to impact them more than their child with burden of care manageable considering overall outcomes.

Factors Associated with Knee and Heel Pain in Children: An Observational Web-Based Survey for 1,200 Parents with Young Japanese Footballers Aged in 8–12 Years

The characteristics of injuries in young children differ from those of adult or adolescent players. To maintain a good physical condition among young children, knowledge of the factors associated with knee and heel pain in growth phase is essential. This study investigated the factors that correlated with growth-related knee and heel pain in Japanese football players aged 8 to 12 years. We collected 1,200 pieces of data (each 300 children in 3rd to 6th grades) on children’s characteristics from their parents using a web-based questionnaire. Player’s age, weight, height, leg dominance, playing position, playing surface, and weekly training volume were collected from each parent. In addition, respondents were asked whether their children had experienced knee or heel pain within the previous 12 months. If they answered “Yes” for the pain, the cause was investigated as following categories: growth related pain (Osgood-Schlatter disease or Sever’s disease), contusion, fracture, sprain, and others. Univariate analyses (independent t tests and chi-square tests) were used to compare the characteristics between the groups with and without growth-related knee and heel pain. To investigate the association of the clinical factors with growth-related knee and heel pain, multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, and the results were presented as the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Among young Japanese footballers, 11.2% and 10.7% had episodes of growth-related knee and heel pain within recent 12 months, respectively. Older age, larger body size, and increased training volume per week were associated with recent knee and heel pain in univariate analyses. In contrast, leg dominance, playing position, and surface were not associated with any episode of growth-related knee and heel pain. According to multivariate logistic regression analyses, older age (OR=1.24; 95% CI, 1.01–1.52), higher percentile rank in body height (OR=1.34; 95% CI, 1.04–1.74), and more training hours per week (OR=1.06; 95% CI, 1.03–1.09) were significantly associated with the episodes of growth-related knee pain in past 12 months. Moreover, higher percentile rank in body weight (OR=1.50; 95% CI, 1.21–1.85) and more training days per week (OR=1.46; 95% CI, 1.29–1.65) were associated with growth-related heel pain. The present study used a web-based questionnaire to investigate the factors associated with knee and heel pains in young football players aged 8 to 12 years. Age, body size, and external load such as weekly training volume were associated with knee and heel pain in children. Coaches and guardians, who monitor children’s growth, should pay attention to modifiable risk factors that correlated with knee and heel pains in childhood.

Reliability, Validity, and Predictive Validity of Cutaneous Functional Units Predicted to Scar Following Palmar Burn Injury in Young Children.

Identification of children at risk of palmar burn scar is important for early initiation of scar management. This study determined the interrater reliability of face-to-face and photographic assessments of 29 palmar cutaneous functional units (CFUs) predicted to scar following palmar burn. The validity of photographic compared to face-to-face assessment, and the predictive validity of both assessment types to identify scarring at 3 to 6 months following burn, was also established. Thirty-nine children (40 hands) post burn injury were assessed face-to-face in the clinical setting, following healing of their palmar burn, by three burn therapists. Photographs of the children's hands at initial assessment were assessed by the same therapists a minimum of 6 months later. To determine which CFUs scarred, children were reassessed face-to-face in the clinical setting 3 to 6 months following their burn. For analysis, 29 CFUs were merged into eight separate groups to determine the number of CFUs predicted to scar per CFU group for face-to-face and photographic assessments. The range of agreement for individual CFUs within CFU groups was also calculated for both assessment types. Excellent interrater reliability was established for face-to-face assessment in all eight CFU groups (ICC2,1 0.83-0.96). Photographic assessment demonstrated good to excellent interrater reliability in six CFU groups (ICC2,1 0.69-0.90) and validity in seven CFU groups (ICC2,1 0.66-0.87). Good to excellent predictive validity was established for both assessment types in seven CFU groups (face-to-face ICC2,1 0.60-0.95, photographic ICC2,1 0.69-0.89). Experienced therapists can reliably assess CFUs face-to-face or via photographs and predict future scar development.

Analysis of the Prevalence of Types of Traumatic Dental Injuries in Young Children in Lahore.

Aim: To analyze the prevalence of type of dental traumatic injuries in young children in Lahore, Pakistan. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a Co-Education school named the Ali Public School of Raiwind over a period of one month. The sample of total 280 students were used in this study. The data for all students were collected on type of dental traumatic injuries, age and gender. This data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: The most frequent TDI involved is Type-I (58.9%) having age group 11–13 years (63.3%) with males (62%) predominance. The result of that study reveals that Type-I fracture of anterior teeth was most common in males who were more vulnerably subjected to traumatic dental injuries than females. Conclusion: There should be cautionary measures taken to avoid dental traumatic accidents that most frequently occur at home and on the roads. Keywords: Traumatic Dental Injuries, Enamel fracture

More to the story than executive function: Effortful control soon after injury predicts long-term functional and social outcomes following pediatric traumatic brain injury in young children.

To examine the impact of early traumatic brain injury (TBI) on effortful control (EC) over time and the relationship of EC and executive functioning (EF) to long-term functional and social outcomes. Parents of children (N = 206, ages 3-7) with moderate-to-severe TBI or orthopedic injuries (OIs) rated EC using the Child Behavior Questionnaire at 1 (pre-injury), 6, 12, and 18 months post-injury. Child functioning and social competence were assessed at 7 years post-injury. Mixed models examined the effects of injury, time since injury, and their interaction on EC. General linear models examined the associations of pre-injury EC and EC at 18 months with long-term functional and social outcomes. Models controlled for EF to assess the unique contribution of EC to outcomes. Children with severe TBI had significantly lower EC than both the OI and moderate TBI groups at each post-injury time point. Both pre-injury and 18-month EC were associated with long-term outcomes. Among those with low EC at baseline, children with moderate and severe TBI had more functional impairment than those with OI; however, no group differences were noted at high levels of EC. EC had main effects on parent-reported social competence that did not vary by injury type. Findings suggest that EC is sensitive to TBI effects and is a unique predictor of functional outcomes, independent of EF. High EC could serve as a protective factor, and as such measures of EC could be used to identify children for more intensive intervention.

First Time Using Saphenous Vena Homograft for Complex Vascular Trauma in Children

Vascular trauma is a rare injury in young children, and is mostly mild, such as spasm or short contusion of the artery, rarely requiring surgical revascularization [1]. Therefore, when encountering a complicated trauma case.

Computed tomography of traumatic brain injury in infants and young children (a literature review)

Objective . To analyze recent studies related to the use of computed tomography in traumatic brain injury in young children. Results . Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common causes of death and disability in children. Pediatric TBI has a number of characteristics different of adults. This is due to age-related anatomical and physiological differences depending on patient's physical condition and on problems with his/her neurological assessment. Young children demonstrate specific pathological reactions to TBI with clear concomitant neurological manifestations. The authors present an important information on current aspects of CT application for all types of isolated blunt TBI in children aged from birth to 3 years with consideration of age-appropriate characteristics and emergency condition. Although TBI mechanisms are similar in young children and adults, visual manifestations of head injury in children have their own specific features due to the developing brain and cranial vault. Radiologist's primary role is to identify and characterize the type and severity of head injury so as to assist the correct management of the patient. Using the information obtained from CT examination and knowing TBI mechanisms in infants and young children, a radiologist can play a key role both in diagnostics and in selection of effective care, thus improving clinical outcomes. Conclusion . Head CT with multifaceted and 3D reconstructions has now replaced X-ray examination of the skull in suspected TBI and has become the most important diagnostic technique in patients with TBI at emergency settings. Radiographs do not provide with additional diagnostic information and may be excluded from the examination, if CT with 3D reconstruction are planned to perform or has already been performed.

Parenchymal Insults in Abuse-A Potential Key to Diagnosis.

Subdural hemorrhage is a key imaging finding in cases of abusive head trauma and one that many radiologists and radiology trainees become familiar with during their years of training. Although it may prove to be a marker of trauma in a young child or infant that presents without a history of injury, the parenchymal insults in these young patients more often lead to the debilitating and sometimes devastating outcomes observed in this young population. It is important to recognize these patterns of parenchymal injuries and how they may differ from the imaging findings in other cases of traumatic injury in young children. In addition, these parenchymal insults may serve as another significant, distinguishing feature when making the medical diagnosis of abusive head injury while still considering alternative diagnoses, including accidental injury. Therefore, as radiologists, we must strive to look beyond the potential cranial injury or subdural hemorrhage for the sometimes more subtle but significant parenchymal insults in abuse.

Case Report: Medicolegal evaluation in a pediatric case of fatal scald injury from rural Nepal

Thermal injuries in young children involving the buttocks, perineum, and lower limbs raise suspicion of child abuse. Determining the manner of death and ruling out homicide in a fatal case of scalding remains a challenge for forensic practitioners. One such issue is reported in the present case report, where a medicolegal evaluation of a fatal scald in a two-year-old girl child is discussed. Young children sustaining serious injuries from scalds is a grave social concern. Such young lives need to be protected from scald injuries whether accidental or purposeful. Differences in injury patterns on the basis of their distribution and their characteristics are important to determine manner of death in such cases.

Case Report: Medicolegal evaluation in a case of fatal scald where a child fell into a cauldron in rural Nepal

Thermal injuries in young children involving the buttocks, perineum, and lower limbs raise suspicion of child abuse. Determining the manner of death and ruling out homicide in a fatal case of scalding remains a challenge for forensic practitioners. One such issue is reported in the present case report, where a medicolegal evaluation of a fatal scald in a two-year-old girl child is discussed. Young children sustaining serious injuries from scalds is a grave social concern. Such young lives need to be protected from scald injuries whether accidental or purposeful. Differences in injury patterns on the basis of their distribution and their characteristics are important to determine manner of death in such cases.