Caustic ingestion and oesophageal damage in children: Clinical spectrum and feeding practices

Aim: The study aims to evaluate the association of oesophageal damage with clinical data and feeding practices in children who suffered a caustic substance ingestion (CSI). Methods: Cross‐sectional design was used in this study. The setting was at a paediatric referral hospital in 2006. Ninety‐four children with CSI were used as study samples, with mean age of 38.4 months, and 37.2% were females. The independent variable was oesophageal damage; the dependent variables were clinical data and feeding practices. Results: Main symptoms included salivation, oropharyngeal burns and vomiting. On endoscopy, 84.6% had second‐ or third‐degree burns. Oesophageal stricture occurred in 48.9%. Severe burns were associated with oesophageal stricture and ingestion of alkaline products; dysphagia was associated with oesophageal stricture. In about one fourth of the cases, a nutritional intervention with complete and balanced liquid diets was required to maintain the adequate daily recommended intake (DRI). Conclusions: Alkali ingestion was associated with severe burns and oesophageal stricture. The presence of oesophageal strictures and dysphagia required changes in the feeding practices in order to maintain an adequate nutritional status and/or to complete their DRI.