A study, published by a group of researchers from the University of Chicago Burn Center, examined data on all pediatric patients who were admitted for burn injuries caused by hot liquids between 2010 and 2020. 790 cases of scalding injuries in children, 31% were caused by instant noodles.
“Anecdotally, it felt like one in two children we saw with a burn injury were injured by instant noodles, so we wanted to dive into the data to see what the trend really was,” the author said. principal Sebastian Vrouwe, assistant professor of surgery at the University of Chicago Medicine. “Our hope is to lay the groundwork for future burn prevention programs, because all childhood burns are in some way preventable. »
Vrouwe said he and his team did not expect instant noodles to be such a major cause of childhood burns. “We were surprised by the scale of the problem, confirming that targeted effort and awareness of these types of burns might have a significant impact in the communities served by our burn center,” he said. .
Children from disadvantaged classes more affected
The researchers noticed that children from underprivileged social classes were more affected by this type of burns. This is because instant noodles are an inexpensive meal option.
The researchers also observed that the average age of children burned by instant noodles was 5.4 years. They estimate that this is “the age at which children are able to attempt to prepare instant noodles, but are not old enough to do so safely”. Children were also more likely to have been left unattended at the time of the injury.
Second and third degree burns
“The amount of heat in these noodles can easily cause second and third degree burns in anyone, but young children are particularly vulnerable due to their relatively smaller bodies and thinner skin.”
Kyran Quinlan, a pediatrician who has conducted research on childhood burns, told CNN it’s amazing how common this type of burn is in children. He also stressed the importance of supervising young children who use the microwave to prepare their meals. “Young children cannot and should not use a microwave unsupervised,” he said. He added that the study might “help parents realize that these types of burns happen all the time.”
Childproof doors
Mr. Quinlan has advocated for the installation of “childproof” doors on microwave ovens, which he says are a measure to prevent burns in young children. These microwave ovens will be widely available for sale in the United States starting in March, he said.
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