TITLE:
Ingestion of Caustics by Children in Brazzaville (CONGO)
AUTHORS:
Lucie Charlotte Atipo-Ibara Ikobo Ollandzobo, Clausina Ahoui-Apendi, Jile Florient Mimiesse-Monamou, Jean Robert Mabiala Babela, Deby-Gassaye, Blaise Irénée Atipo Ibara, Jean-Rosaire Ibara
KEYWORDS:
Caustic Lesions, Child, Brazzaville
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.8 No.3,
September
30,
2018
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 packaging and storage. Prevention is about
educating people in order to reduce their frequency.