A Study on the Assessment of Severity and Outcomes in Children with Hydrocarbon Poisoning Using a Scoring System

Abstract

Hydrocarbon poisoning is a prevalent issue among children in developing countries like India, particularly in rural areas where these substances are commonly used for painting and lighting. Often stored in water or soft drink bottles, hydrocarbons attract children due to their appealing colors, and their low surface tension increases the risk of aspiration during ingestion, especially following vomiting, which can lead to chemical pneumonitis. This hospital-based prospective observational study aimed to assess the severity and outcomes of hydrocarbon poisoning in children, focusing on their clinical profiles and associated complications. Utilizing a scoring system that evaluates six parameters—cyanosis, SpO2 level, CNS manifestations, pulmonary involvement, respiratory distress, and history of vomiting—the study measures illness severity in relation to hospitalization duration and complications like chemical pneumonitis or ICU treatment. A total of 48 children were evaluated, with 50% under three years old and 71% being boys. The majority of cases occurred during the summer months, with 77% of the children coming from rural areas. Notably, 73% of the children had a history of vomiting, with 69% of these cases being induced. Among those who vomited, 60% developed chest complications, while no complications were observed in children without vomiting. The average duration of hospitalization post-ingestion was 24 hours, and 40% of the subjects experienced complications. Specifically, among those with complications, eight children had scores indicating mild severity (0 to 4), while six had moderate scores (5 to 8). This scoring system proves essential for evaluating the clinical severity and outcomes of hydrocarbon poisoning, emphasizing its prevalence among boys under three years and its occurrence during summer, with vomiting identified as a significant risk factor for chemical pneumonitis.