A 2-year-old girl is brought with scalds on both feet and lower legs extending symmetrically to the same level on both limbs, with a sharp horizontal demarcation line and sparing of the popliteal fossae. The pattern is most suggestive of:

• A Accidental spillage of hot tea
• B Splash scald from a falling utensil
• C Steam scald from a pressure cooker
• D Forced immersion in hot water, suggestive of child abuse ✓

Explanation

Symmetrical scalds ending at a uniform level with a clear tide mark, and relative sparing of flexed protected areas such as the popliteal fossae, indicate forced immersion into hot water, a classic abusive pattern. Accidental splash scalds produce irregular patches of varying depth with satellite droplet marks and an upward fading margin rather than a straight line.

Reference: Knight's Forensic Pathology, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.