Understanding the Risks of Caustic Ingestions in Pediatrics

Have you ever wondered what happens when a toddler gets into something they definitely shouldn’t? Today, Dr. Monica Gray, Dr. Pradip Kamat, and Dr. Rahul Damania discuss the case of an 18-month-old boy who accidentally ingested concentrated bleach, presenting with stridor, drooling, and vomiting. They review the clinical approach to caustic ingestions in children, including airway management, diagnostic workup, and the roles of endoscopy, steroids, and multidisciplinary care. The episode also highlights potential complications such as esophageal strictures and cancer, emphasizes prevention strategies, and provides key takeaways for intensivists managing similar pediatric emergencies. If you’re an intensivist or just want to know what to do in a pediatric emergency, don’t miss these essential takeaways for managing one of the scariest situations in the ER.

Show Highlights:

• Case study of an 18-month-old boy who ingested concentrated bleach
• Clinical presentation including symptoms like stridor, drooling, and vomiting
• Management strategies for caustic ingestions in children
• Importance of airway management and monitoring in cases of caustic ingestion
• Diagnostic workup including imaging and endoscopy
• Differential diagnosis considerations for similar presentations (e.g., button batteries, laundry detergent pods)
• Mechanism of injury caused by alkaline substances like bleach
• Long-term complications associated with caustic ingestions, such as esophageal strictures and cancer
• Multidisciplinary approach to treatment involving various medical specialties
• Prevention strategies to reduce the incidence of accidental caustic ingestions in children

References:

• American Academy of Pediatrics – Pediatric Care Online: Esophageal Caustic Injury (AAP clinical guidance on caustic ingestions).
• Fuhrman & Zimmerman’s Pediatric Critical Care textbook – Chapters on toxicology and gastrointestinal emergencies (covering caustic injury management and critical care approach).
• Hoffman RS, et al. “Ingestion of Caustic Substances.” New England Journal of Medicine. 2020; 382(18):1739-1748. A comprehensive review of caustic ingestion injuries and management.
• Arnold M, Numanoglu A. “Caustic ingestion in children – a review.” Semin Pediatr Surg. 2017;26(2):95-104. Review of epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of caustic injuries in kids.
• Johnson CM, Brigger MT. “The public health impact of pediatric caustic ingestion injuries.” Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2012;138(12):1111-1115. (Epidemiology study showing declining incidence).
• Pediatric Critical Care Medicine (PCCM) Journal – various case reports and series on caustic ingestion (for case-based insights), and annual National Poison Data System reports (for statistics on pediatric poisonings).
• Tringali A, et al. ESGE/ESPGHAN Pediatric GI Endoscopy Guidelines (Endoscopy, 2017) – Includes recommendations for endoscopy timing and steroid use in caustic ingestions.
• Usta M, et al. “High doses of methylprednisolone in the management of caustic esophageal burns.” Pediatrics. 2014;133(6):E1518-24. (Key study demonstrating steroids benefit in grade 2b injuries).
• Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne – Clinical Practice Guidelines: Caustic Ingestions (2019) – Practical hospital guidelines emphasizing early intubation for airway threat, endoscopy within 24h, IV PPI, and supportive care.