Citation

Das S, Behera SK, Xavier AS, Selvarajan S. J. Pharm. Pract. 2018; ePub(ePub): 897190018771520.

Affiliation

1 Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0897190018771520

PMID

29673294

Abstract

Ingestion of hydrocarbons is a common cause of childhood poisoning in low and middle-income countries. Although mild ingestions are usually devoid of complications, the morbidity and mortality associated with such poisoning are primarily related to pulmonary aspiration. Subsequent complications, most importantly, secondary bacterial infections can worsen the clinical condition. Standard treatment protocol for acute accidental hydrocarbon poisoning does not advocate routine use of steroids or antibiotics. However, some studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of prophylactic steroid and antibiotic to prevent chemical pneumonitis. In this article, we have summarized the findings of the clinical studies from literature, which have evaluated the advantages of early administration of steroids and antibiotics to prevent chemical pneumonitis in acute hydrocarbon poisoning in children. From these studies, we have found that there is no convincing evidence for initiating steroid and antibiotic to improve outcome in these children.

Language: en

Keywords

acute accidental hydrocarbon poisoning; antibiotic; chemical pneumonitis; prophylaxis; steroid