Citation

MacDuff S, Sun J, Bell DE, Lentz CW, Kahn SA. Pediatr. Emerg. Care 2016; 32(8): 541-543.

Affiliation

From the *University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY; †Integris Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK; and ‡Department of Surgery, University of South Alabama Medical Center, Mobile, AL.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PEC.0000000000000855

PMID

27490728

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to present a case report and review the relevant literature on laxative-induced dermatitis being mistaken for scald injury and child abuse. CASE: A 33-month-old girl presented with partial thickness burn to the buttocks and perineum, which were suspected to be caused by child abuse. On further investigation, the parents had been administering large doses of laxatives to the child for chronic constipation.

DISCUSSION: Child abuse by burning has characteristic physical examination findings, which differ from the pattern of laxative-induced dermatitis that has been reported in the literature. Diapers appear to be a risk factor for laxative-induced dermatitis. Surprisingly, the dose of laxative does not correlate with the severity of the burn injury. All physicians must be aware of the possibility of laxative-induced dermatitis mimicking scald burn injury to the buttocks. Parents should be educated about the risk of administering over-the-counter laxatives to children.

Language: en