Yaygın bir halk sağlığı sorunu: Çocuklarda koroziv madde içimi.

Objective: Corrosive substances are both histologically and functionally damaging agents when contacted with the mucosa. Corrosive substance ingestion is still one of the most important and frequent home accidents because of the reasons such as the storage of corrosives in food containers, colored packages, and places where children can reach easily. Methods: The medical records of 125 patients who were followed up because of intake of corrosive substances between 2014 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were evaluated according to age, gender, type of corrosive substance ingested and type of treatment. Results: Of 125 cases 63 were girls (50.4%), 62 were males (49.6%). The median age of the cases was 4.1 years. Among the corrosive substances, most frequently laundry bleach (48%; n=61), vinegar (17%; n=21), drain opener (12.8%; n=16), washing liquid (9%; n=11), olive sweetener (caustic) (n=3; 2.4%), lime dissolver (n=4; 3.2%), salicylic acid (n=3; 2.4%), oil solvent (n=2; 1.6%), wart drug (n=2; 1.6%), and acetonide (n=2; 1.6%) were ingested in respective number of patients. Esophagoscopy was performed only in patients with symptoms. Conclusion: Prevention of the intake of corrosives is much simpler and more economical when compared with long and expensive treatment processes. It is necessary that everyone who cares about children must be carefull. Corrosive substances must kept in sealed packages even in locked cabinets. Also, packages containing corrosive substances should not contain interesting colors and designs for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]