SEVERE INJURY TO THE UPPER DIGESTIVE TRACT DUE TO A CAUSTIC ACCIDENT IN INFANT: CASE REPORT

Abstract

The ingestion of caustics by children is considered an important pediatric emergency, with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in patients up to 5 years of age.

Symptoms are variable and depend on some facetas suco as the level of exposure, the amount of substance ingested, the time ingested, time between ingestion, and the time that starts the treatment. Symptoms such as emesis, dysphagia, dysphagia, abdominal pain, dyspnea, sialorrhea and oropharyngeal lesions are observed early on. Imaging screening with upper digestive endoscopy (in the first few hours after exposure), chest X-ray and CT scan are indicated to classify the extent of the lesions and guide therapy. Treatment includes hospitalization, zero diet, parenteral hydration and hemodynamic stabilization, and there is no consensus in the literature about adjuvant treatment. Early upper digestive endoscopy and imaging tests are indicated to classify the extent of the lesions and guide therapy.

This report aims to shed light on the subject of caustic ingestion by children, highlighting the clinical and diagnostic aspects, in line with the treatment proposed by current guidelines. A bibliographic review was carried out on the Scielo and Revista Periódica da Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria research platforms.

The conclusion is that, at emergency level, the initial approach is aimed at hemodynamic stabilization and airway patency, as well as preventing the lesions from worsening, addressing systemic damage.