1 Department of Pediatrics, Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, Case Western Reserve, University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44109
Recent experience working with a burn service, developed in a large metropolitan community where no other organized unit was available, has focused our attention on factors responsible for burns in children. In a 5-month period 23 children were admitted to the hospital for treatment. Two of these were unusual because of their relationship to the use of steam vaporizers. In that the subject of steam vaporizer burns has not been discussed specifically in the American literature, the present report was prepared to alert members of the medical community to this potentially avoidable tragedy.
Case Reports
Case 1: A. S. was a 7-month-old Caucasian boy who, 2 days prior to admission, was noted to have upper respiratory symptoms.