Ankura hospital doctors save two-year old child who consumed acid on accident

The boy met with a life-threatening emergency when he accidentally ingested acetic acid, a commonly used household cleaning chemical. What began as an ordinary day for his family turned into a nightmare within minutes. The corrosive liquid stored in a drinking water bottle burned his lips, oral cavity and food pipe and left painful chemical injuries in his chest are and groin area. As he gasped for breath, crying in severe pain, his frightened parents watched helplessly, unable to understand what was happening to their little child.

A local doctor at Satara stabilised the child and urgently arranged a referral for higher-level pediatric care. Ankura Hospital’s neonatal and pediatric transport and retrieval team from Pune under the expert guidance of Dr Milind Jambagi travelled to Satara, with their specialised ambulance, securing the child on ventilator support, and ensuring continuous monitoring through the high-risk journey.

Dr Jambagi said that the child had scald burns over the body and his oral cavity revealed corrosion. An endoscopy done immediately revealed corrosive injuries to the food pipe, though fortunately, no perforation was detected. “Ventilator support was continued until the child’s breathing stabilised. The chemical burns on the chest and groin were managed with specialised dressings and medication to prevent infection and aid healing. Chemical and corrosive ingestion in children is extremely dangerous because the damage begins instantly, can worsen rapidly and have lifelong consequences,” he said.

The doctor also added that storage of corrosive chemical substances like house cleansers and acids in drinking water or soft drink containers in the home is a risk factor for accidental corrosive ingestion in children, particularly those less than 5 years of age.

“This case reminds families to store household chemicals safely. Parents should stay alert and keep all household chemicals, medicines, and sharp objects completely out of children’s reach, as accidents occur in children most of the time when the parents are around them but unattended. Curious toddlers explore everything around them, often without understanding danger. Simple precautions at home can prevent life-threatening emergencies like these,” he said.