The management of pediatric hydrocarbon ingestion has not changed significantly over the past several decades. One of the earlier study that helped established the management approach is by Anas N et al. published in JAMA, 1981.

It was a retrospective study of 950 children who ingested household hydrocarbon containing products.

Discharged patients: n=800

• They asymptomatic at their initial presentation and after 6-8 hours of observation.
• All had normal CXR

 

Admitted patients: n=150

• 79 symptomatic patients at the time of initial evaluation with abnormal CXR.
• 71 patients were asymptomatic but CXR showed pulmonary involvement/pneumonitis or had pulmonary symptoms prior to hospital presentation
• 7 symptomatic patients developed pneumonia

 

This study recommended that hospitalization is required in patients…

1. Who are symptomatic at the time of initial evaluation
2. Who become symptomatic during the 6-8 hour observation period.

References

Anas N. et al. Criteria for hospitalizing children who have ingeted products containing hydrocarbons. JAMA 1981;246:840-843