Thinking of pediatric burns, I believe that many people, like Yijun, think that most of them are caused by hot liquid.
However, researchers at the University of Chicago Burn Center, who studied data on all pediatric patients admitted to the hospital between 2010 and 2020 for scalds caused by hot liquids, showed that of 790 cases of burns in children, 31% were caused by instant noodles. Below, Yijun takes you to see what the specific situation is, and how delicious instant noodles have become the key factor and culprit of burns for American children in the so-called world's most developed countries.
Sebastian Vrouwe, assistant professor of surgery at the University of Chicago School of Medicine and senior author, said: "Interestingly, every child we consulted with burns was caused by instant noodles, so we wanted to dig deeper into the data to see what the trends were. "Basically, all pediatric burns are preventable, and we want to lay the groundwork for future burn prevention programs." ”
Viruway said instant noodles were an important factor in children's burns, and he and his team were shocked. "We are surprised by this result, which confirms the concern and understanding of these types of burns for the benefit of our burn center's work in serving the community," he said in the press release. ”
Studies have also found that some children are more likely to suffer instant noodle burns than others. On average, black children are more likely to suffer instant noodle burns. So why this situation occurs, it can be imagined, this is inseparable from instant noodles as a low-cost, easy-to-operate food.
According to the researchers, instant noodles are low cost and are the dietary choice of most poor families, which is why this trend has emerged. "As a result, global efforts to address child poverty are likely to have positive side effects on burn prevention," the researchers wrote.
Children with instant noodle burns were also slightly older than other burned children, with an average age of 5.4 years. The researchers describe it as "the age at which children are able to try to prepare instant noodles, but are not old enough to make instant noodles safely." "Children are also more likely to be left unsupervised when injured.
In the press release, Veruway explained that adult supervision, which helps reduce burns from instant noodles and other foods, is an important measure to prevent burns in children. "Direct caregiver supervision is an important step in preventing burns," he said. ”。“ The heat contained in these noodles can easily cause second- and third-degree burns, especially in young children, who are particularly vulnerable to small children with weak skin and weak skin. ”
Kyran Quinlan, a pediatrician who conducted research on pediatric burns, replied via email, "It's amazing how common this kind of childhood burns are." ”
While Quinan was not involved in the study, he noted that the study only included patients treated by the University of Chicago Burn Center, which primarily serves low-income communities on Chicago's South Side. So while the findings may not be generalizable to other parts of the country, they do "present a problem that is very common in downtown areas across the United States."
Like Veruve, Quinan stressed the importance of supervising young children using the microwave to prepare instant noodles or other foods. "Small children cannot, and should not, operate microwave ovens without supervision," he said. He also said the study could "help parents recognize that this type of burn is common." "Obviously, through this study, it is more beneficial for parents to supervise their children and prevent unnecessary burns."
He said "child protection" doors on microwave ovens are a measure to prevent burns from young children. Starting in March, he said, microwave ovens will be widely available in the United States. "We need to constantly learn how to protect young children from these burns, which are serious and often deforming."
Often parents who are not careful, will cause serious injuries, so when children use microwave donkeys and other electrical appliances, parental supervision is extremely important to cause unnecessary harm.
Selected topic of this article: Jingo Emperor Penguin. Editor: Feng Yijun