Changing patterns in the causes of scalds in young Dutch children

The causes of burns in children who were treated as inpatients and outpatients were examined at a burn centre and a university hospital during the period 1972-85. In particular young children, from 0–5 years, were the victims of hot fluid burns caused mainly by coffee and tea. Over the years a change has taken place in the pattern of causes in spite of an increase in the consumption of tea and coffee. The number of coffee scalds has decreased markedly, probably as a result of the increasing use of electric coffee machines.