Caustic Ingestion in Children: The Otolaryngologist Perspective

This study aimed to determine which otolaryngological and gastrointestinal signs and symptoms can better predict abnormal findings on imaging, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), and complications development. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of children 18 years or younger admitted because of caustic ingestion between January 2007 and November 2019. Results Forty-one children with a median age of 4.2 years (interquartile range, 1.7–16.7 years) were included; of them, 22 (53.6%) were males. Nineteen children (46.3%) underwent EGD, which revealed no pathology in 13 cases (68.4%). Most ingested substances were in the form of liquid (82.9%), accidentally ingested (82.9%), and with an alkaline pH (57.5%). Stridor, dyspnea, drooling, abnormal oral cavity findings, dysphagia, and vomiting were significantly associated with pathological findings on imaging and/or EGD and/or complications development (P = 0.028, P = 0.028, P = 0.022, P = 0.02, P
Source: Pediatric Emergency Care - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research