burns in children

Last reviewed 10/2022

In relative frequency of incidence, burns in children tend to be produced by the following agents:

  • scalds; typically in the kitchen from boiling water but also in the bathroom from hot tap water
  • flame burns
  • direct contact with hot surface
  • electrical burn
  • sunburn

In addition, a family environment with poor social support or supervision is an independent risk factor for burns in childhood. Rarely, such a burn may be the result of physical child abuse.