Southern medical journal
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Nonaccidental or inflicted burns account for a significant subset of children hospitalized for the treatment of burns and are a form of child abuse. We review our experience with inpatient treatment of pediatric burns and examine the characteristics of patients with accidental and nonaccidental burns. ⋯ Unstable social factors and chronic medical problems were more common among those with inflicted burns. We suggest guidelines to differentiate between accidental and inflicted burn victims.