title: An evaluation of cases of pneumonia that occurred secondary to hydrocarbon exposure in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hydrocarbon pneumonia is distinct among the types of childhood pneumonia in that it has a different pathogenesis and treatment and is preventable. In this study, the cases of 54 children with hydrocarbon pneumonia admitted to the Dicle University Medical Faculty Pediatric Chest Diseases Unit between the years 2006 and 2010 were analyzed retrospectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 54 patients diagnosed with pneumonia after ingesting/inhaling hydrocarbons were analyzed retrospectively. Age, sex, presenting symptoms, clinical status, radiological and laboratory findings and response to treatment and prognosis were noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  35 (64.8%) of the patients were male, 19 (35.2%) were female and the ages of the patients ranged from 1 to 5 with an average of 2.49 ± 0.80. The etiologies of the pneumonia were thinner (33%), naphta (3.7%) and kerosene. In 49 of the patients (90.7%), the symptoms started to occur the day the patient was exposed to hydrocarbons. The average length of hospital stay was 4.0 ± 2.3 days. Six patients were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU), and one patient with hydrocarbon pneumonia due to kerosene ingestion died. Inhaled corticosteroids were administered to 18 patients who were progressively deteriorating and inhaled salbutamol was given to 16 patients with bronchospasm. Patients with radiological findings on their chest X-rays and auscultatory findings were found to have longer hospital stays (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To prevent chemical pneumonia, precautions must be taken to stop children under 5 years of age from using/abusing chemical substances. Although some cases of chemical pneumonia lead to death, with diligent care and treatment, the outcomes are promising. The patients in this study group responded well to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and salbutamol.
authors: Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey. drvelatsen@hotmail.com
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Sen
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Kelekci
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Selimoglu Sen
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Yolbas
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Günes
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Abakay
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Fuat Gurkan
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000367:Age Factors; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007223:Infant; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D006838:Hydrocarbons