AbstractIntroduction: Kerosene Poisoning is an important & preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world. Kerosene aspiration may be associated with pulmonary complications and sometimes death. Objectives: To study the clinical profile of children with kerosene poisoning.Material and Methods: This is a 5 year retrospective study of children admitted with kerosene poisoning in SBHGMC & Hospital, Dhule between the years 2012 to 2016. Demographic and clinical data were recorded from the case records. Result: 88 children were admitted with kerosene poisoning. Male preponderance (60%) was noted. There was seasonal preponderance in the months of Feb to May. There was also an urban preponderance. The peak age group was from 1 to 5 years. Cough (56%), dyspnea (20%) and vomiting (42%) were the dominant symptoms. Radiologicaly Right lower lobe infiltration seen in 30% of children and bilateral lower lobe infiltration was seen in 15% of children. There was 1 death due to aspiration Pneumonia &encephalopathy. Conclusion: Kerosene poisoning happens largely due to ignorance of parents. Further research is needed in Kerosene encephalopathy to ascertain whether it is primarily due to direct toxic effect of the hydrocarbon or secondarily due to hypoxia of pneumonitis. Kerosene should be dispensed in child proof bottles with pictorial warnings to deter children.
Keywords: Kerosene; Aspiration; Children; Vomiting; Pneumonitis.