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Published on: August 25, 2015
[Corrosive esophagitis in children (author's transl)]
Insights
Steroids may benefit children with corrosive esophagitis, particularly for less severe burns. This retrospective study highlights their potential role in preventing esophageal stenosis after corrosive ingestion.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Toxicology
- Otolaryngology
Context:
- Corrosive esophagitis in children presents a complex treatment challenge with ongoing debate.
- Ingestion of household chemicals like Javel water, sodium hydroxide, and acids is a significant concern.
- A retrospective analysis of 327 pediatric cases hospitalized between 1970-1976 was conducted.
Purpose:
- To review current literature on corrosive esophagitis treatments.
- To present findings from a retrospective study on pediatric corrosive esophagitis management.
- To evaluate the efficacy of treatments, including steroids, in preventing esophageal strictures.
Summary:
- The study identified common corrosive agents and found esophageal involvement in 46% of cases, even without oropharyngeal burns.
- Endoscopically confirmed esophageal burns were present in 81 patients.
- A low incidence of stenosis (9%) suggests a beneficial effect of steroid therapy, especially for first and second-degree burns.
Impact:
- Findings support the potential role of steroids in mitigating long-term complications like esophageal stenosis in pediatric corrosive esophagitis.
- Highlights the importance of endoscopic evaluation for accurate diagnosis, even in the absence of visible upper airway burns.
- The study contributes to the ongoing discussion regarding optimal management strategies for corrosive esophageal injuries in children.
Abstract:
The treatment of corrosive esophagitis in children remains a controversial subject. A review of the literature and the various forms of treatment is presented with a retrospective study done a the Ste-Justine Hospital in Montreal. We studied the charts (327) of patients hospitalized for ingestion of corrosive substances for the period extending between 1970 to 1976 inclusively. The mean age of the patients involved was 2 years 4 months with a slight male predominance (60%). Javel water, sodium hydroxide, Chlorine, ammoniac and different acids were, in this order, the agents most frequently encountered. Esophageal burns proven by endoscopy was noted in 81 cases. Even in the absence of oropharyngeal burns, esophageal involvement was still present in 46% of cases. The low incidence of stenosis (9%) tends to confirm the beneficial role of steroids in the treatment of corrosive esophagitis. This is particularly true for 1st and 2nd degree burns whereas their administration in severe 3rd degree burn remains controversial.
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