Background: Corrosive ingestion in children occurs usually at home and frequently results in debilitating strictures. Prevention and early intervention programs are very important for good outcomes. Aims and Objectives: This study aims at examining the immediate causative factors and problems of this subset of patients with a special focus on treatment and outcome. This study was to audit the management of patients in the paediatric age group who presented for treatment with history and sequelae of corrosive ingestion seen by the cardiothoracic unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital from January 2005 till December 2018. Materials and Methods: This is a 14year retrospective study of patients that presented with oesophageal burn injuries from ingestion of corrosive agents to the Cardiothoracic Unit at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between January 2005 and December 2018. Essentially the first 5years were retrospectively included but the subsequent years were prospective. All available medical data on these patients were retrieved and studied for epidemiological, clinical and operative procedures and outcome. Results: A total of 49 patients were seen and admitted during the period under review. Male (29) : Female (20) ratio was 1:1.4 Mean age was 4.7±4.8 years with a range of 1-16years, The males presented earlier and had worse strictures as well as more surgical procedures. Caustic soda preparations ingested more (93.9%), all ingestions were within the household setting, and all had first aid given by way of oral palm oil. Only two (4.1%) ingested acids with only one flat battery ingestion. 45.5% of the patients had dilatation only and of these 50% recovered after 3 sessions and required no more sessions. A further 50% were lost to follow up. 38.8% had oesophageal replacement with colon following oesophagectomy. Conclusion: In conclusion, corrosive oesophageal stricture is a debilitating disease in children and affects males more, but it is treatable by multiple dilatations and oesophageal replacement with colon. Prevention should be actively pursued as well as early intervention.

Aims: This study investigates the phytochemicals, nutritional and antioxidant constituents of methanol extract of C. olitorius leaf using standard biochemical procedures. Methodology: Corchorus olitorius (213.81 g) powdered leaves sample was soaked in 2.4 L of methanol respectively for 72 hr. Afterwards, the sample was filtered through a double-layered muslin cloth to obtain a filtrate which was placed in a rotary evaporator to dry off the solvent and stored. The proximate analysis, phytochemicals screening, mineral contents, antioxidant ability and phenolic compositions were determined for C. olitorius. Results: The proximate analysis revealed that the C. olitorius extract contained 25.00% ash, 2.55% fat, 25.80% moisture, 5.50% crude fibre, 10.15% crude protein and 38.00% carbohydrate contents. Phytochemical screening indicated that flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, saponins, phenols and steroids were present in appreciable concentrations except for quinones and terpenoids. The mineral analysis of the extract showed considerable levels of potassium (1715.69 mg/100 g), calcium (33.43 mg/100 g), (sodium 49.62 mg/100 g), iron (16.78 mg/100 g) and manganese (9.44 mg/100 g) while magnesium (4.39 mg/100 g), copper (2.11 mg/100 g), zinc (2.94 mg/100 g) and lead (0.21 mg/100 g) were reduced. The extract showed high reducing power, diphenyl picrylhydrazine and H202 radicals scavenging abilities. However, the total antioxidant capacity was low compared to the standard, ascorbic acid. High performance liquid chromatography result revealed that quercitrin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, epicatechin and kaempferol were present in high amounts in the extract. Conclusion: Altogether, findings from this study indicated that C. olitorius leaf extract is a rich source of phytonutrients and mineral elements with ample antioxidative property (in vitro) that may be of relevance in the management of some degenerative conditions.