Research Article

Clinical Evaluation and Management of Household Cleaning Product Ingestions in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Volume: 11 Number: 3 August 27, 2026
TR EN

Clinical Evaluation and Management of Household Cleaning Product Ingestions in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the demographic, clinical, and prognostic characteristics of household cleaning product ingestion in a pediatric emergency department. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated pediatric patients admitted to the emergency department after ingesting household cleaning products. The ingested agents were categorized into high- and low-risk groups. Demographic profiles, prehospital interventions, clinical symptoms, physical examination findings, and endoscopic outcomes were analyzed to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes between the risk groups. Results: The cohort predominantly consisted of children under five years of age (80.0%) and males (56.0%). Notably, 24.0% of cases involved inappropriate and harmful pre-hospital interventions by caregivers. At presentation, 64.0% of patients were asymptomatic. Consistent with this selective approach, we performed endoscopy in 11 patients, representing 50.0% of the high-risk group, all of whom had presenting symptoms, abnormal physical examination findings, or both symptoms and findings. No patient in the low-risk group underwent endoscopy (p<0.001). Among those who underwent endoscopy, 81.8% exhibited no or only mild mucosal changes (Zargar Grade 0-1). Advanced mucosal damage (grade 2a and 2b) and the cohort’s sole long-term complication ( esophageal stricture) occurred exclusively in adolescents following high-volume ingestion of hydrochloric acid. The high-risk category was significantly associated with the manifestation of initial symptoms (p=0.008), abnormal physical findings (p=0.006), endoscopy requirement (p<0.001), and hospitalization rates (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that most pediatric household product ingestions involve accidental low-volume exposures that remain clinically benign. Early risk stratification based on the chemical properties of the ingested agent appears to be highly valuable for initial triage in the emergency department. Routine endoscopy may not be routinely required for asymptomatic patients following low-risk exposures; instead, a targeted endoscopic evaluation and close follow-up could be most appropriate for intentional ingestions, high-volume exposures, and patients with presenting symptoms or abnormal physical examination findings following high-risk exposure.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Göztepe Prof. Dr. Süleyman Yalçın City Hospital on 23.07.2026 (decision no. 2026/0407). This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pediatric Surgery, Infant and Child Health, Pediatric Emergency

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 27, 2026

Submission Date

July 27, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 3

APA
Goktug, A., Kefçi, M. M., Besli, G. E., & Ulukaya Durakbaşa, Ç. (2026). Clinical Evaluation and Management of Household Cleaning Product Ingestions in a Pediatric Emergency Department. Turkish Medical Journal, 11(3), 102-112. https://doi.org/10.70852/tmj.2004188
AMA
1.Goktug A, Kefçi MM, Besli GE, Ulukaya Durakbaşa Ç. Clinical Evaluation and Management of Household Cleaning Product Ingestions in a Pediatric Emergency Department. TMJ. 2026;11(3):102-112. doi:10.70852/tmj.2004188
Chicago
Goktug, Aytac, Mehmet Muhsin Kefçi, Gülser Esen Besli, and Çiğdem Ulukaya Durakbaşa. 2026. “Clinical Evaluation and Management of Household Cleaning Product Ingestions in a Pediatric Emergency Department”. Turkish Medical Journal 11 (3): 102-12. https://doi.org/10.70852/tmj.2004188.
EndNote
Goktug A, Kefçi MM, Besli GE, Ulukaya Durakbaşa Ç (August 1, 2026) Clinical Evaluation and Management of Household Cleaning Product Ingestions in a Pediatric Emergency Department. Turkish Medical Journal 11 3 102–112.
IEEE
[1]A. Goktug, M. M. Kefçi, G. E. Besli, and Ç. Ulukaya Durakbaşa, “Clinical Evaluation and Management of Household Cleaning Product Ingestions in a Pediatric Emergency Department”, TMJ, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 102–112, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.70852/tmj.2004188.
ISNAD
Goktug, Aytac - Kefçi, Mehmet Muhsin - Besli, Gülser Esen - Ulukaya Durakbaşa, Çiğdem. “Clinical Evaluation and Management of Household Cleaning Product Ingestions in a Pediatric Emergency Department”. Turkish Medical Journal 11/3 (August 1, 2026): 102-112. https://doi.org/10.70852/tmj.2004188.
JAMA
1.Goktug A, Kefçi MM, Besli GE, Ulukaya Durakbaşa Ç. Clinical Evaluation and Management of Household Cleaning Product Ingestions in a Pediatric Emergency Department. TMJ. 2026;11:102–112.
MLA
Goktug, Aytac, et al. “Clinical Evaluation and Management of Household Cleaning Product Ingestions in a Pediatric Emergency Department”. Turkish Medical Journal, vol. 11, no. 3, Aug. 2026, pp. 102-1, doi:10.70852/tmj.2004188.
Vancouver
1.Aytac Goktug, Mehmet Muhsin Kefçi, Gülser Esen Besli, Çiğdem Ulukaya Durakbaşa. Clinical Evaluation and Management of Household Cleaning Product Ingestions in a Pediatric Emergency Department. TMJ. 2026 Aug. 1;11(3):102-1. doi:10.70852/tmj.2004188

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