Frostbite

Samantha P Leonard, M.D., M.Ed., Jose H Salazar, M.D., Ph.D., Katherine T Flynn-O'Brien, MD, MPH

Introduction

Frostbite is a cold tissue injury, typically on the face or the extremities, that occurs when the skin is exposed to sub-freezing temperatures without appropriate protection. Pediatric frostbite requires special care due to the potential for significant tissue loss, growth plate damage, and limb loss [1][2]. The existing data for pediatric frostbite injury management are limited and often pulled from adult literature.

Frostbite - Leg
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Teenager with severe autism and prolonged cold exposure

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Last updated: January 28, 2026