Paediatrica Indonesiana
Vol. 65 No. 6 (2025): November 2025

Corrosive esophagitis due to alkali ingestion in children: a case report

Felicia, Fabiola Vania (Unknown)
Sutarinda, Rina Desdwi Utami (Unknown)
Budiyanto, Budiyanto (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
28 Dec 2025

Abstract

Caustic ingestion is a relatively common event in childhood. History, identification of chemical substances, and clinical features are essential to predict the extension of damage and plan for diagnostic modalities and management. Thorough follow-up should be done to evaluate the development of complications. This report is about a 16-months-old boy who was admitted to the ER with frequent vomiting and swollen, reddened lips that appeared a few minutes after the accidental ingestion of air conditioner cleaner, which happened in the evening after iftar, 21 hours prior to admission. Clinical findings were first to third degree burns on lips and perioral skin, oropharyngeal mucosa, anterior of right axilla, shoulder, and right-back side of neck to upper back. Laboratory findings revealed anemia, leukocytosis, and thrombocytosis. Patient’s management includes NPO, total parenteral nutrition (first three days), broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic, analgetic, PPI, corticosteroid, and sucralfate. Esophagoscopy and guided NGT insertion were done on the fourth day, and the diagnosis of esophagitis grade 2A was confirmed. Enteral feeding was started immediately and gradually increased until full oral feeding was achieved. The patient was hospitalized for ten days. It was concluded that in the case of caustic ingestion, the type of caustic substance and degree of injury determine the proper management of corrosive esophagitis, predict its complications, and follow-up planning.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

paediatrica-indonesiana

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Paediatrica Indonesiana is a medical journal devoted to the health, in a broad sense, affecting fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents, belonged to the Indonesian Pediatric Society. Its publications are directed to pediatricians and other medical practitioners or researchers at all levels of ...