Mandana Rafeey
1, Morteza Ghojazadeh
2, Saeede Sheikhi
3, Leila Vahedi
4*1 1Department of Pediatrics Gastroenterology, Medicine Faculty, Liver & Gastrointestinal Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2 2Department of Physiology, Medicine Faculty, Liver & Gastrointestinal Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
3 3Clinical Librarian, Liver & Gastrointestinal Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
4 4Liver & Gastrointestinal Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Caustic ingestion that occurs accidently is one of
the most common problems in children.
Methods: This systematic review has been performed by
searching the databases including Science Direct, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and
PubMed. A strategic search was performed with keywords including caustic,
corrosive, ingestion, and children, and was limited to articles in English and
Persian. Data were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis2 and PASW
Statistics 18.
Results: We
selected 64 articles regarding caustic ingestion with a total sample of 11,345
cases. The data analysis indicated a higher consumption in young boys (age
range 2.78 (2.02) years (OR=0.53 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.49-0.57 (P=0.08)).
The most common caustic substances were household cleaning agents, particularly
bleaches and cleaners. Esophageal cancer and death were reported as well as
digestive and respiratory complications. Invasive and
expensive techniques are frequently used for diagnosis, treatment and follow
up.
Conclusion: The results demonstrated that although caustic
ingestion is a serious problem among children, it is a preventable and
manageable issue. Therefore, appropriate efforts by families, government,
factories, health team and media should be made to handle adequately this
matter.