| 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. |