Ingestión de cáusticos: Revisión de la casuística en el hospital de niños J. M. de los Ríos durante los años 1998 a 2008. Un problema de salud pública

La ingestion de sustancias causticas es uno de los accidentes mas importantes en la infancia debido a su incidencia, gravedad y dificil tratamiento. Determinar la incidencia de la ingestion de causticos y sus complicaciones en pacientes pediatricos, en un periodo de 10 anos en el Hospital de Ninos J. M. de los Rios, Caracas Venezuela. Estudio descriptivo, transversal, retrospectivo en el Hospital de Ninos J. M. de los Rios, desde 1998 a 2008. Variables: edad, sexo, hallazgos endoscopicos y complicaciones. De 142 ninos con ingestion de causticos, 89/142 (62,6%) corresponden al sexo masculino y el grupo predominante fueron los preescolares 74/142 (52,1%) seguido por lactantes en 44/142 (31%). La edad media 2.8 anos (10 m a 10 anos). El 84,5% reportaron esofagitis (Grado IIIB 7%, IIIA 10,5%, IIB 13%, IIA 21,1%, I 33%). El 77,4% desarrollaron estenosis, y 7% se perforaron. La ingesta de causticos es un accidente comun en paises subdesarrollados. Los ninos son susceptibles debido a la curiosidad natural, y la costumbre de trasegar agentes limpiadores en recipientes atractivos. Se plantea la necesidad de legislar sobre la seguridad de estos productos...(AU) The ingestion of caustic substances is one of the most relevant accidents in childhood because of its incidence, seriousness and diffi culty to treat. Determining the incidence of caustics ingestion and its complication in pediatric patients during a 10-year term at Hospital de Ninos J. M. de los Rios, Caracas Venezuela. Retrospective cross-sectioned descriptive study performed at Hospital de Ninos J. M. de los Rios between 1998 and 2008. Variables: age, sex, endoscopic fi ndings and complications. Out of 142 children who had ingested caustics, 89/142 (62.6%) are male, and preschool children was the prevailing group, 74/142 (52.1%), followed by nursing children, 44/142 (31%). 2.8 years was the mean age (ranging from 10 months through 10 years). 84.5% was reported with esophagitis (7% with Grade IIIB, 10.5% with IIIA, 13% with IIB, 21.1% with IIA, 33% staged as I). 77.4% developed stenosis and 7% showed perforation. Caustics ingestion is a common accident in underdeveloped countries. Children are susceptible to suffer such because of their natural curiosity and the usage of transferring household cleaners in attractive recipients. The necessity of law-making on the safety of such products is proposed...(AU)