Ingestion of chemicals and foreign bodies in infants and children
From the moment the baby is born, it has the ability to absorb the surrounding objects. This talent is an extraordinary reward that nature gives to the baby. Nutrition is only possible through this and the baby receives the necessary nutrients from the mother's breast. Skills such as intelligence, walking, sitting, speaking are not yet developed, but absorption is from birth as a reflex. Therefore, the newborn absorbs all the objects around it. As the baby grows and gains mobility, it reaches its immediate surroundings. During the crawling and walking periods, it now finds very small objects found on the carpet and upholstery and leads to the mouth. In short, the size and number of hazards increases. What are these hazards? What are the substances and substances that are brought to the mouth that are foreign to the body other than food? Ingested or smoked harmful substances can be examined in 2 groups.
1. Solid materials
2. Liquids
Drinking fluids harmful to the body:
Many liquid substances in our homes are life-threatening. For example dishwasher detergents and degreasers, bleachers, kitchen and bathroom cleaning agents, descalers. These liquids are generally alkaline.
Although the burning effect of packaged and branded products is less, the chemical cleaning fluids sold outdoors are harmful to humans.
Accidental drinking of chemicals used in paint and painting is another common situation. Irritating and tissue-burning liquids such as paint and thinner are toxic substances due to their chemical structure. These poisons may act in a short time, ie as a result of the absorption of substances such as lead they lead slowly and chronically may cause damage to organs such as the brain, nervous system, liver and kidney.
It is the result of burning of the esophagus and stomach when accidentally drinking the substances standing in places where the baby and child can easily reach at home and in attractive packages. Burns, inflammation and damage to the mucosa lead to a gradual narrowing of the esophagus days or weeks after ingestion of harmful fluid. The baby starts to vomit constantly, feeding is disrupted.
Diagnosis and treatment methods:
Endoscopic examination can tell you the degree of burns and damage. The main treatment is the cessation of oral feeding and the administration of various drugs in intravenous serum. X-ray is performed to investigate disorders of the lungs and digestive system. Although the treatment of narrowing esophageal burn is very successful, dilatation called dilatation is performed several times in severe constrictions. Nowadays, all these treatment methods can be applied easily thanks to the developments in pediatric gastroenterology expertise.
Problems with ingestion of solids:
The most common object that babies and children swallow is metal coins. Because it is easily found and carried and stored by family members, coins of various sizes, which are always possible to be seized, are easily passed from mouth to esophagus. It was usually a place in the middle of the chest, attached to the esophagus. Small toy pieces, Legos, metal nails, screws, wrenches, pens and paint pieces are other highly ingested solids. However, as they cannot pass through the stomach exit hole, they stay there and under the influence of stomach acids and enzymes. Plastic and metallic objects do not have a sudden detrimental effect if they are not sharp and penetrating. But for the baby, such as a small clock battery, attractive, easy to swallow, innocent-looking objects unfortunately inside the stomach, opening with the digestive effect of acid leaks harmful and toxic substances in this case, the chemical effect becomes more important than mechanical effect. In addition to poisoning, perforation of the organ may occur. Another danger to newborn babies is the gold pieces worn by family relatives for happiness, mashallah and safety pins. In this case, the open needle tip is inserted into the esophagus or stomach. In short, happiness begins to turn into disaster.
What are the symptoms of solid foreign body ingestion?
Although symptoms vary depending on where the substance is inserted, coughing and continuous saliva flowing through the mouth should attract the attention of the mother. Difficulty in breathing and bruising may also be added to this table if pressure is present in the respiratory tract. Steady objects in the esophagus or stomach cause abdominal pain after a while. The baby refuses to feed, does not want to swallow mouth bite. It may cause inflammation and damage to the surrounding tissue and may cause perforation and fever.
Diagnosis: The easiest diagnostic method is radiological examination of the baby. Metal objects are easily seen on the X-ray. However, since plastic, fabric or soft objects do not appear on the X-ray, they are found with the help of fiberoptic instruments called endoscopes.
Treatment approaches: The most frequently asked question of mothers is about how long the foreign body can remain in the body and the damages. Hard and sharp substances should not be removed by vomiting. Safety pin is one of the most risky objects in this regard. With the device called endoscope, even in newborn babies, it is possible to reach the foreign body in a few minutes and remove it without damaging the body. Round, slippery substances that do not dissolve in the stomach, such as coins, must be removed if they have been in the stomach for more than 24 hours. If the substance that is considered harmless has left the stomach, the feces of the child and the baby are constantly monitored and kept under control until the foreign body exits the body.
We must be aware that the substances that we use every day and which are always at hand are hidden hazards for our babies and children.
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