Pattern of Acute Corrosives Poisoning at Poisoning Control Unit: A One Year Retrospective Clinical Study

Introduction: Acute corrosive poisoning is considered a major problem in clinical toxicology all over the world including Egypt as a result of their availability and easy accessibility. Aim of the work: To study and evaluate the hazardous effects of corrosive substances through retrospective study of the acute corrosive poisoning. Materials and methods: All acute corrosive poisoned patients who are admitted to Benha Poisoning Control Unit, Benha University Hospitals, Egypt, from 1st February 2018 to 31th January 2019 were included in the study. All demographic and clinical data were collected andanalyzed. Results: Out of 2570 intoxicated cases, 245 cases (9.5%) were due to corrosives exposure, 67.8% were below the age of ten, 61.2% were males, 77.1% were unmarried and 58% came from rural areas. The majority of intoxication were during summer months (48.2%), and 54.3% of intoxicated patients were at home. The way of intoxication was mainly accidental (82.9%) and by oral way (90.6%). The most common causative agent was sodium hypochlorite (60.8%), followed by phenol (23.7%) and caustic potash (Potassium hydroxide) (15.5%). Commonly observed symptoms were GIT with respiratory manifestations (58.8%), respiratory manifestations (32.7%), dermal manifestation (7.3%) and CNS manifestations (0.8%). About 52% of patients were treated symptomatically: 32.6 % with oxygen, 10.2% treated bydermal decontamination and 4.5% with GIT decontamination. Most of cases (78 %) were improved and discharged, 18.4% referred for endoscopy and 3.7% discharged against medical advice. Conclusion: Acute corrosives poisoning was mainly accidental toxic issue in Egypt among rural male children below 10 years old. Sodium hypochlorite found to be the commonest corrosive agent used and commonly observed symptoms were GIT with respiratory manifestations most of patients were treated symptomatically and most of them improved and discharged.