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Hydrocarbon ingestion in children: A six-year retrospective study

1976; Elsevier BV; Volume: 5; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0361-1124(76)80307-3

1876-4711

Richard F. Beamon, Charles J. Siegel, Gary Landers, Vernon Green,

Restraint-Related Deaths

The results of a six-year retrospective study of 116 children admitted with the diagnosis of hydrocarbon ingestion showed that the major toxicity of hydrocarbons was to the respiratory tract, with 79 patients (68%) developing pneumonia. There was a significantly higher initial white blood cell count in children who developed penumonia (15,900/cu mm vs 12,000/cu mm, p < .001). All hydrocarbon products studied had a similar incidence of complications, except turpentine products, which had a significantly lower incidence of pneumonia (p < .005). There was no correlation between amount ingested and development of complications. Initial treatment, which consisted of induced vomiting, gastric lavage, administration of oil or saline cathartics, was not associated with fewer complications. Oil administration correlated with higher incidence of pneumonia (p < .025). The present study recommends only supportive treatment following hydrocarbon ingestion in children.