Introduction: Acute corrosive poisoning is considered a major problem
in clinical toxicology all over the world including Egypt as a result of their
availability and easy accessibility. Aim of the work: To study and evaluate
the hazardous effects of corrosive substances through retrospective study of
the acute corrosive poisoning. Materials and methods: All acute corrosive
poisoned patients who are admitted to Benha Poisoning Control Unit, Benha
University Hospitals, Egypt, from 1st February 2018 to 31th January 2019 were
included in the study. All demographic and clinical data were collected and
analyzed. Results: Out of 2570 intoxicated cases, 245 cases (9.5%) were due
to corrosives exposure, 67.8% were below the age of ten, 61.2% were males
, 77.1% were unmarried and 58% came from rural areas. The majority of
intoxication were during summer months (48.2%), and 54.3% of intoxicated
patients were at home. The way of intoxication was mainly accidental
(82.9%) and by oral way (90.6%). The most common causative agent was
sodium hypochlorite (60.8%), followed by phenol (23.7%) and caustic potash
(Potassium hydroxide) (15.5%). Commonly observed symptoms were GIT
with respiratory manifestations (58.8%), respiratory manifestations (32.7%),
dermal manifestation (7.3%) and CNS manifestations (0.8%). About 52% of
patients were treated symptomatically: 32.6 % with oxygen, 10.2% treated by
dermal decontamination and 4.5% with GIT decontamination. Most of cases
(78 %) were improved and discharged, 18.4% referred for endoscopy and 3.7%
discharged against medical advice. |
