[Chemical pneumonia in children]

Between 1980 and 1989 the Children's Hospital of Antwerp admitted 954 children with signs of intoxication. In 83 cases (9%) these were due to ingestion of hydrocarbons, 17 of these 83 children (21%) had chemical pneumonia. The most frequent chemicals were turpentine, petrol and lamp oil. The main symptoms were vomiting, skin rash, coughing and fever accompanied by an infectious blood count. Roentgen abnormalities in this group were less frequent than reported in the literature. A chest X-ray immediately after admission does not always provide information about pneumonia because abnormalities may already be present, e.g. due to an acute lung condition; nevertheless it is necessary for further study, if any. An X-ray after 24 hours is indispensable to confirm or exclude chemical pneumonia. As regards treatment, only supportive therapy is possible. Pulmonary function studies after a few weeks may be useful. A survey is presented of the epidemiology, clinical findings, diagnostics, pathophysiology, symptomatic therapy, prevention and prognosis.