Iontophoresis burns: a peculiar cutaneous injury from a diagnostic sweat test for cystic fibrosis

Abstract

An 8-month-old child presented after an emergency referral from a paediatric clinic. She had sustained a small burn injury to the left volar wrist during the sweat test for cystic fibrosis. The injury was managed conservatively. There is limited literature on burn injuries sustained during the sweat test, despite it being a known risk and the incidence is reported as very small. We wonder if such events are not being reported because the injury caused is usually minor and so may be more prevalent than previously considered.