This retrospective study of paediatric burns in the Lothian region involved a review of 1114 case notes of children up to the age of 12 years, treated for burns as inpatients and outpatients, during a 3-year period between 1988 and 1990. There were more boys than girls and 79 per cent were below 5 years of age. 71.5 per cent were treated as outpatients only, whereas 28.5 per cent were admitted. The Lothian region had the highest incidence of burns of children in Scotland. There has been a statistically significant downward linear trend in burn rates and admissions in Scotland during the 20 years but in this hospital burns admissions have significantly diminished only since 1987. The number of flame burns has declined and a high proportion of the victims were scalded. Efforts need to be made to reduce the large number of scalds by educational and legislative measures.