Burn injuries caused by a hair-dryer--an unusual case of child abuse.
About 1.4-26% burn injuries in children appear to be abusive in origin. A 2.5-year-old girl was referred to our institute because of suspected child abuse. Clinical examination and later interrogation of the mother revealed non-recent deep second degree burn injuries on both gluteal regions, caused by the partner of the mother by pressing a hand-held hair-dryer against the skin. The authors present the findings of this unusual method of child abuse.
Darok
M
M
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 4, A-8010 Graz, Austria. mario.darok@kfunigraz.ac.at
Reischle
S
S
D000061:Accidents, Home; D001317:Austria; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006197:Hair; D006361:Heating / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D010808:Physical Examination