[Accidental ingestion of caustics in children. Apropos of 100 cases].

One hundred children (67 boys, 33 girls) underwent early fiberoptic endoscopy (without general anesthesia in 96 cases) for caustic ingestion between January 1985 and June 1988. The intended use of the product was household (83) industrial (4) farm (6) or medicinal (7). Caustic burns were classified as grade 1 (mucosal hyperaemia), grade 2 (ulceration) and grade 3 (necrosis). Endoscopy was negative in 52, grade 1 in 41 who had evidence of esophagitis and/or gastritis, grade 2 and/or grade 3 in 7 cases, 4 of whom had ingested farm products. Eighty-seven children were discharged after examination, 6 were hospitalized for 24 hours. Outcome was favorable for the 5 cases with grade 2 lesions after total parenteral nutrition for an average period of 79 days. The 2 cases with grade 3 injuries went on to develop an esophageal stricture requiring endoscopic dilation and an antral stricture which was treated by antrectomy. Authors emphasize the severity of lesions secondary to the ingestion of dairy pipeline cleaners, the advantages of fiberoptic endoscopy and the role of parenteral nutrition.