Influence of agents and mechanisms of injury on anatomical burn locations in children <5 years old with a scald

Prospective study of 1,041 pediatric scald cases identifies distinct injury patterns by mechanism: accidental scalds typically involve head/trunk from pulled beverages, while bath/shower scalds with symmetrical distribution warrant child protection evaluation. Understanding these anatomical patterns helps clinicians distinguish accidental from non-accidental injuries in children under 5.