Ingestion of Caustics by Children in Brazzaville (CONGO)

Abstract

Ingestion of caustics by children is serious because of the increase in their frequency and the difficulties due to their management. Objective: To improve the management of caustic lesions in Pediatric Department at the University Hospital of Brazzaville. Patients and Methods: Prospective study was conducted from January 2014 to December 2015 in the Pediatric Departments of the UHB and centers of digestive endoscopy in Brazzaville. All children who ingested a caustic product and hospitalized were included after obtaining parental's consent. The studied parameters were: Age, sex, nature and quantity of the caustic, the family's attitude, clinical signs, endoscopic results according to Zagar's classification, therapeutic modalities and evolution. Results: 8292 children were hospitalized and 68 because of the ingestion of caustic, a frequency of 0.8%. The average age was 23.6 months [2 months-16 years]. The male sex was predominant (57.4%). Ingestion was accidental in 88.2% and voluntary in 11.8%. Factors favoring ingestion were storage methods (81.5%) and parental's inattention or negligence (10.8%). Bleach was the most incriminated caustic (54.4%) followed by caustic soda (29.4%). The estimated quantity ingested was assumed to be minimal in 61.7%. Unsuitable acts were practiced by the family before the medical consultation in 66.1%. The dominant symptoms were digestive (47%) and neurological (25%). The average time to perform endoscopy was 48 hours in 88.2%. Endoscopy revealed lesions in 51.7%, the different stages were I (12 cases), II (16 cases) and III (3 cases). The mains factors of gravity were inappropriate gestures (85%) and the non-respect of the fasting (9%). Proton pump inhibitors were used in 50%. The evolution was favorable for in 73.5%. Conclusion: Ingestion of caustics by children is most often accidental favored by the inadequate pack

Benzalkonium Chloride Poisoning in Pediatric Patients: Report of Case with a Severe Clinical Course and Literature Review

“…The exposure characteristics of our patient were similar to those in most reported cases of unintentional disinfectant poisoning [ 24 , 36 ]. The primary contributing factors to disinfectant poisoning in this patient were the inappropriate storage of the hazardous chemical and its accessibility to the child [ 37 , 38 ]. This report contributes to several studies that have highlighted the absence of parental awareness regarding the hazards of corrosive substances, coupled with the absence of preventive measures, as a significant issue [ 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”