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Pediatr Surg Int 2022 Mar 9;38(3):505-512. Epub 2022 Jan 9.

Department of Paediatric Surgery, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, 800 Vusi Mzimela Street, Cato Manor, Durban, 4091, South Africa.

Purpose: Considering that clinical presentation and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) injuries post-caustic ingestion vary in children, this study aims to establish whether a correlation exists between clinical presentation and endoscopic findings.

Methods: This retrospective study comprised patients referred to a paediatric surgical unit between 2016 and 2018 within 72 h post-caustic ingestion. Data collected included caustic agents ingested, clinical presentation, endoscopic findings and management. Read More

Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex 2021 ;78(6):544-548

Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Mexico City, Mexico.

Background: Accidental ingestion of caustics in pediatrics continues to be a frequent problem that can lead to severe injuries and permanent sequelae that require esophageal rehabilitation programs. This study aimed to describe the medical care experience of children who ingested caustic substances in a tertiary hospital in Mexico City.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive and analytical study. Read More

JAMA Surg 2022 02;157(2):119

Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

Indian J Gastroenterol 2021 Jun 15;40(3):316-325. Epub 2021 May 15.

Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rae Bareli Road, Lucknow, 226 014, India.

Background And Aim: Corrosive ingestion causes significant morbidity in children with no standard guidelines regarding management. This survey aimed to understand practices adopted by gastroenterologists, identify lacunae in evaluation and management and suggest a practical algorithm.

Methods: Indian gastroenterologists participated in an online survey (65 questions) on managing corrosive ingestion. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2021 Apr 15;110(4):1293-1294. Epub 2021 Feb 15.

Gastroenterology and endsocpy Unit, L. Curto Hospital, ASL Salerno, Italy.

Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2021 Apr;113(4):272-275

Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca.

Introduction: caustic ingestion in children is rare but has potentially serious consequences.

Aim: to analyze the clinical and endoscopic features and the type of caustic ingested in our population.

Methods: the upper endoscopies performed in this setting, as well as the characteristics of patients and caustics, were analyzed from 2010 to 2018. Read More

Endoscopy 2021 08 23;53(8):784-791. Epub 2020 Oct 23.

Department of Digestive Medicine, Hospital Clínic Universitari, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.

Background: Caustic ingestion is a potentially severe condition and early identification of poor outcome is essential to improve management; however, prediction based on endoscopy alone can overestimate severity. This study aimed to develop and validate a prognostic score.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was designed to include all consecutive patients aged > 15 years who presented with caustic ingestion between 1995 and 2017. Read More

Dig Liver Dis 2020 11 8;52(11):1266-1281. Epub 2020 Aug 8.

Pediatric Hepatology Gastroenterology and Transplantation, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy.

Foreign body and caustic ingestions in children are usually the most common clinical challenges for emergency physicians, general pediatricians and pediatric gastroenterologists. Management of these conditions often requires different levels of expertise and competence. Endoscopy is often necessary but there is a high risk of misusing this tool with incorrect timing and indications. Read More

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2020 07;71(1):19-22

Department of Pediatrics, A.O.R.N. Santobono-Pausilipon, Naples, Italy.

Objectives: Despite the efforts to reduce the exposure to corrosive household products, caustic ingestion in children is currently a significant medical problem. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the clinical consequences of caustic ingestion and to identify prognostic factors that could concur in driving both diagnostic and therapeutic management.

Methods: All consecutive children referred for ingestion of a caustic substance from June 2017 to June 2018 were enrolled. Read More

Dis Esophagus 2020 Jun;33(6)

Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Introduction: Caustic ingestion, whether intentional or unintentional, may result in significant morbidity. Our aim was to provide an estimate of the incidence and outcomes of caustic ingestion among emergency department (ED) visits across the United States.

Methods: The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) is part of the family of databases developed for the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Read More

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2019 06;68(6):824-828

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.

Background: Caustic ingestion with concentrated detergent pods (CDPs) is a common problem encountered in pediatric population. There is insufficient literature about endoscopic findings in CDP ingestion and hence no current consensus or guidelines regarding the need for endoscopic evaluation.

Objectives: To review cases of children with exposure to CDPs from 2010 to 2016 at a tertiary care children's hospital and to identifying the possibility of a correlation between clinical presentation and the endoscopic findings. Read More

Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi 2018 ;73(3):258-264

Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine.

Mercury and its compounds are classified into three main groups: metallic mercury (Hg), inorganic mercury (Hg), and organic mercury (methyl mercury: CHHg, etc.). Metallic mercury is the only metal that is liquid at ambient temperature and normal pressure, which readily forms an amalgam with other metals. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Jun 21;2018. Epub 2018 Jun 21.

Department of General Internal Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.

Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive, highly alkaline (PKa=14.8) household product. Ingestion of sodium hydroxide liquid is common, showing toxicity on the oesophagus and stomach. Read More

Ann Surg 2019 07;270(1):109-114

Department of Digestive and Endocrine Surgery, Saint-Louis Hospital AP-HP, University Paris Diderot Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris, France.

Background: Endoscopy is the best predictor of stricture formation after caustic ingestion.

Objective: Our aim was to compare the accuracy of emergency computed tomography (CT) and endoscopy in predicting risks of esophageal stricture.

Methods: We describe a CT classification of esophageal caustic injuries: Grade I show normal esophagus; Grade IIa display internal enhancement of the esophageal mucosa and enhancement of the outer wall conferring a "target" aspect; Grade IIb present as a fine rim of external esophageal wall enhancement. Read More

World J Surg 2018 07;42(7):2028-2035

Department of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.

Background: Corrosive ingestion results in necrosis of the digestive tract, spillage of intraluminal fluid, and spread of bacteria that threatens the lives of patients. Some authors advise extensive surgery, although others recommend conservative operation. This study presents the outcomes of the patients of corrosive injury who undergo emergent surgery. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2017 Dec 14;103:20-28. Epub 2017 Sep 14.

Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, 501 Stanley St, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Australia.

Purpose: To explore the experiences of children with dysphagia and/or feeding difficulties post-chemical or button battery ingestion injury from the perspective of the primary caregiver.

Method: Five primary caregivers of children with a history of dysphagia and/or feeding difficulties post-ingestion injury (4 chemical, 1 button battery) completed the Children's Picky Eating Questionnaire (CPEQ), and participated in a semi-structured interview. Interviews explored experiences of caring for a child with dysphagia and/or feeding difficulties, impressions of services and supports, and additional impacts to the child and family. Read More

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2018 Jun;66(6):898-902

Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.

Objectives: Caustic ingestion can have a complicated clinical course. Corticosteroids are widely used but there is uncertainty about its role in preventing esophageal stricture formation following caustic ingestion. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the available clinical evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of corticosteroids for preventing esophageal strictures following caustic injury. Read More

Pediatr Clin North Am 2017 06;64(3):507-524

Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Dept A111, Cleveland, OH 44195-0001, USA.

Children inevitably swallow foreign material accidentally or intentionally. Each type of ingestion carries their own set of risks and complications, short and long term, some requiring immediate attention while others close monitoring. Alkalotic household cleaning products and lithium button batteries are increasingly common and damage the esophagus quickly. Read More

Rev Gastroenterol Peru 2017 Jan-Mar;37(1):22-25

Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Nemazee Teaching Hospital,, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Shiraz, Iran.

Caustic ingestion is a major health concern in both developed and developing countries, that may lead to serious esophageal injury. The clinical presentation of caustic ingestion in children vary from asymptomatic to serious and fatal sequelae, such as perforation and stricture formation.

Objective: Due to the lack of a comprehensive study in our area, this study has evaluated clinical and endoscopic manifestations and complications of caustic ingestion in children in south of Iran. Read More

Ann Ital Chir 2017 ;88:82-86

Accidental caustic ingestions are serious medical problems especially in childhood. Various treatment modalities are being used for the complications of caustic injuries such as stricture formation. The aim of this study is to establish whether ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has protective effects on experimental corrosive esophagitis in rats. Read More

Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2017 Aug 26;55(7):645-651. Epub 2017 Apr 26.

a NPIS (Birmingham Unit) , City Hospital , Birmingham , UK.

Introduction: Oven cleaning products contain corrosive substances, typically sodium or potassium hydroxide.

Objective: To determine the reported toxicity from exposure to oven cleaning products.

Methods: Telephone enquiries to the UK National Poisons Information Service regarding oven cleaning products were analysed retrospectively for the period January 2009 to December 2015. Read More

Arch Argent Pediatr 2017 04;115(2):e85-e88

Ankara University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ankara, Turkey.

Esophageal or gastric injuries secondary to caustic substance ingestion is still an important issue in developing countries. Its clinical spectrum can vary from absence of mucosal injury to complications such as severe burns, strictures and perforation. Physical examination and first endoscopic evaluation are very important in the diagnosis. Read More

Lancet 2017 May 26;389(10083):2041-2052. Epub 2016 Oct 26.

Department of Digestive and Endocrine Surgery, Saint-Louis Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Diderot Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.

Corrosive ingestion is a rare but potentially devastating event and, despite the availability of effective preventive public health strategies, injuries continue to occur. Most clinicians have limited personal experience and rely on guidelines; however, uncertainty persists about best clinical practice. Ingestions range from mild cases with no injury to severe cases with full thickness necrosis of the oesophagus and stomach. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2017 Mar 6;35(3):488-492. Epub 2016 Dec 6.

Department of Clinical Toxicology and Pharmacology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Clinical Toxicology Research Group, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Electronic address:

Purpose: We aimed to determine the incidence of esophageal strictures in corrosive ingestions and potential predictors of severe injury.

Basic Procedures: This was a retrospective cohort study of corrosive ingestions from a toxicology unit (1987-2013) with telephone follow-up at least 1 y post-ingestion. Clinical data and investigations were obtained from a toxicology admission database. Read More

Dis Esophagus 2017 Feb;30(3):1-7

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Zeynep Kamil Maternity and Children's Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye.

The aim of this study was to determine the necessity of endoscopy in cases in which a corrosive substance was ingested and to find a practical way to avoid unnecessary endoscopies for similar cases in the future. The clinical records of 458 hospitalized cases with clinical histories of corrosive substance ingestion between January 2007 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The demographics of the cases, the ingested substances, and the rigid endoscopy findings were evaluated. Read More

Langenbecks Arch Surg 2016 Feb 21;401(1):81-7. Epub 2015 Dec 21.

Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, Université Nord de France, 59000, Lille, France.

Purpose: Best clinical management of severe caustic injury is still a subject of debate. Most surgical teams consider severe caustic injury as an indication for emergency surgery. But, under certain circumstances, conservative management is feasible, avoids the need for gastrectomy, and has a low mortality rate. Read More