Accidental glacial acetic acid intoxication in children Intoxicación accidental por ácido acético glacial en niños

Abstract

Low concentrations of acetic acid are commonly used as table top condiment giving a bitter taste featuring a characteristic smell. It is also an important reactive to make other organic compounds. At high concentrations it has industrial uses, such as 99% glacial acetic acid which was ingested by an 8-year-old patient in this case. Patient was managed at home after a mild head trauma with glacial acetic acid which he ingested accidentally presenting with pain and difficulty in swallowing and emesis. The initial pharyngeal and tonsil lesions were managed with the respective antibiotic therapy.  He consults again for not presenting improvement and increase of the pharyngeal compromise, evidencing an esophageal burn and a corrosive injury with stenosis. At 6-month follow-up, after undergoing dilations through esophago-gastroduedenoscopy, patient presented good clinical progression.