In the 31-year-period 1950-80 there were 560 children admitted following possible ingestion of corrosive substances. 99% being under the age of 5 years, 6 children were admitted with late complications of corrosive ingestion. Of the 554 admitted in the acute phase, 149 had burns in the mouth, and 79 of these had burns in the oesophagus which were deep circumferential in 36. These children were commenced on a regime of antibiotics, corticosteroids and daily bouginage in an attempt to prevent stricture formation. Some narrowing of the oesophagus occurred in 15 and was severe in 8.