Gastrointestinal system lesions in children due to the ingestion of alkali and acid corrosive substances.

OBJECTIVE

TO examine esophageal and gastric lesions in children due to the ingestion of alkali and acid corrosive substances and to emphasize all related complications.

METHODS

The reports of 103 children who ingested or were suspected to have ingested corrosive substances and who then underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopic inspections were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of the patients, the mean age was 41 ± 3.6 months, and 57.3% were male. Vomiting was the most common symptom (44.7%). Eighteen different commercial products were defined as corrosive substances: 59.2% of them were alkali, 39.8% were acids, and 1% had a neutral pH. These corrosive agents most frequently contained sodium hydroxide, followed by hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite, and sulfuric acid. Endoscopic inspections were abnormal in 68% of the cases. Esophageal lesions were observed in 56.3% of the patients, while gastric lesions were observed in 35%. During the follow-up period, esophageal strictures developed in 4.9% of patients, while gastric outlet obstructions developed in 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Of the patients, the mean age was 41 ± 3.6 months, and 57.3% were male. Vomiting was the most common symptom (44.7%). Eighteen different commercial products were defined as corrosive substances: 59.2% of them were alkali, 39.8% were acids, and 1% had a neutral pH. These corrosive agents most frequently contained sodium hydroxide, followed by hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite, and sulfuric acid. Endoscopic inspections were abnormal in 68% of the cases. Esophageal lesions were observed in 56.3% of the patients, while gastric lesions were observed in 35%. During the follow-up period, esophageal strictures developed in 4.9% of patients, while gastric outlet obstructions developed in 1%.