A baby with symmetrical hand injuries and rhabdomyolysis following nonfatal electrocution by an unusual mechanism

Childhood electrical injuries are rare in the city of Hong Kong. We report the case of a 21-month boy with severe electrical injuries of both hands and explored underlying mechanism for the incident. Meticulous orthopedic repair and reconstruction ensures satisfactory cosmetic and functional outcomes. Our case concurs with the literature that young children may be predisposed to this mode of incident with their curious exploring hands. Despite regulations on electrical home safety standards, extension power boards can still pose a dangerous risk for severe morbidity in the household with young children. Prevention strategies often involve commonsense approach in home safety measures such as (1) use proper fuses in electrical boxes, (2) do not overload outlets, (3) use insulated and grounded electrical cords, (4) keep electrical cords away from a child's reach, and (5) cover electrical outlets so children will not stick items in the outlet.