Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.  2016 Sep;19(3):207-209. 10.5223/pghn.2016.19.3.207.

Corrosive Esophagitis with Benzalkonium Chloride in a Two Days Old Neonate

• Civan HA
• Gulcu D
• Erkan T

• KMID: 2364780
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2016.19.3.207

Abstract

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a caustic agent which is used in farms, homes and hospitals for cleaning skin and wounds as an antiseptic solution. It may lead to digestive system injuries in case of ingestion. We present a two-days-old newborn case which was carried to the emergency unit with complaints of poor breastfeeding, uneasiness and crying for 4-6 hours. Her mom confessed that she had given a spoon of 10% BAC solution for her cough. Initial laboratory tests were in normal ranges. A gastroscopy performed in the second hour of her admission revealed an hyperemic and edematous mucosa in the middle third of esophagus and a circumferential ulceration followed in the distal portion. Hereupon, a conservative treatment for 10 days was administered and the control gastroscopy demonstrated that the damage was almost totally improved. She was the youngest case with this etiology and successfully treated with conservative approach.

Keyword

Benzalkonium chloride; Corrosive esophagitis; Neonate

MeSH Terms

Agriculture
Benzalkonium Compounds*
Breast Feeding
Cough
Crying
Digestive System
Eating
Emergency Service, Hospital
Esophagitis*
Esophagus
Gastroscopy
Humans
Infant, Newborn*
Mucous Membrane
Reference Values
Skin
Ulcer
Wounds and Injuries
Benzalkonium Compounds

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Circumferential mucosal ulceration in the distal third of esophagus two hours after ingestion of benzalkonium chloride.

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  Fig. 2 Recovery of ulcerated distal esophageal mucosa after 10 days of treatment.

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