Outcome of patients poisoned with corrosive substances in Minia University Hospital: retrospective study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Forensic Medicine & Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University

2 Department of Plastic Surgery, Faculty of medicine, Minia University

Abstract

Corrosive poisoning in both children and adults is a worldwide issue that is particularly common in developing countries such as Egypt. This study aimed to assess the hazardous effects of corrosive substances and evaluate the outcome of these cases in Poison Control Center of Minia University Hospital. From 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2021, all corrosive patients who were admitted to the Poison Control Center of Minia University Hospital were included in the study. All required data regarding socio-demographic information, poisoning data, type of toxic agent, clinical assessment and outcome were recorded and statistically analyzed. The commonest corrosive substance was sodium hypochlorite (31.3%), followed by dormex (hydrogen cyanamide) (30.4%) and potash (potassium hydroxide) (13.2%). The total number of cases enrolled in this study was 128 cases. Most exposure occurred accidentally (95.3%) and by ingestion (62.5%), among males (63.3%), living in rural areas (63.3%). Most patients were children (79.7%) and below the school age (48.4%). The average delay time was 39.49±18.54 min and common symptoms were nausea/vomiting (68.8%), dysphagia (68%), skin burn (35.1%) and respiratory distress (26.6%). All laboratory investigations done to the patients were normal apart from mild anemia and leukocytosis seen in most cases. The majority of patients (94.5%) had a positive outcome. The mortality rate was 5.4%. We concluded that the corrosive exposure is a critical issue that needs to be addressed. It is noteworthy that the prompt diagnosis and management are crucial in improving the prognosis of corrosive patients.

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