Clinical-epidemiological characteristics, incidence and factors associated with the ingestion of caustic substances in children

Abstract

Introduction: The ingestion of corrosives in children constitutes a public health problem, especially in low-income countries and in children under 5 years of age, with devastating consequences for health and quality of life. Objective: to determine the clinical-epidemiological characteristics, incidence and factors associated with the intake of caustic substances in children. Patients and methods: retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study, January 2017-June 2021. Variables: age / sex, age group, clinical; number of cases/year, product characteristics (type, storage, use, packaging), associated factors (intake / attention interval, amount ingested, use of neutralizers, maneuvers, caregiver and level of education), severity of esophagitis. Results: 125 / 11,808 children, mean age 30.46 ± 19.43 months (range: 13m-7a), 60% infants and 57.6% men; the most frequent hypersalivation 48% and oral lesions 32%. The overall cumulative incidence over 4½ years was 1.06 per 100 children. Alkali, the most common product in 94.4%, stored in the kitchen (54.4%), inappropriate packaging (90.4%) and for domestic use (86.4%). Associated factors: 72.8% do not specify the amount ingested, they used neutralizers and maneuvers 64% and 84% respectively, the children in the care of their parents, with average instruction (Baccalaureate) each 59.2%. Medical attention between 6-12 hours post-ingestion in 84%. Esophagitis IIb in 48/125 (38.4%), followed by IIa in 31/125 (24.8%). No statistical difference was found between the factors and the severity of the injury. Conclusion: the ingestion of caustic substance is prevalent in this hospital, knowing the demographic and clinical characteristics and associated factors are important for a preventive intervention in the population.