Turkish J Pediatr
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We investigated characteristics of burns in children aged up to seven years and hospitalized at our Burn Unit between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2007 in order to detect risk factors and prepare a program for prevention of burn injuries in children. There were 119 boys and 81 girls (ratio 1:0.67) and the mean total body surface area burned was 16.6 +/- 12.5%. Sixty-nine percent (n = 138) of the burn-injured children were under three years old. ⋯ The children included in this study were younger than seven years and they were supposed to be under the care of their parents. Parental neglect might have played a role in burn injuries in these children. In developing countries like Turkey, parents should be offered education about prevention of burn injuries in childhood.
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Although each method has its own advantages and disadvantages compared with the conservative mercury-in-glass thermometers, there are conflicting opinions about the optimal anatomic site for measuring body temperature as well about the variations in measurements with different methods. In this study, we aimed to assess the accuracy and reliability of measurements obtained from the axilla with the chemical thermometer (Tempa DOT TM) compared with the classic mercury-in-glass instruments. Sixty randomly selected pediatric patients who were admitted to our hospital were enrolled. ⋯ Since approximately 20% of febrile patients with mercury-in-glass temperature were misdiagnosed as afebrile with measurements via chemical thermometer, we suggest that the axilla is not a suitable anatomic site for screening of fever with Tempa. DOT. Further studies involving larger study groups with similar age should be done to more definitely assess its screening value in pediatrics.