Kerosene poisoning in children: a clinico-radiological study of 205 cases.

Clinical, radiological and epidemiological data from 205 children with kerosene poisoning, admitted over a period of four years to the Paediatric Department of the Chest Hospital, are analysed. All children had chest radiographs. Of the 205 children, 94% developed fever, 86% pulmonary complications and 7% neurological sequelae. Vomiting was reported in 65%, abdominal pain in 2% and diarrhoea in 2%. There was no mortality. Analysis of radiological data showed a wide spectrum of pulmonary changes with a high incidence of pleural effusions and pneumatocoeles. The most common abnormal respiratory physical sign was rhonchi, which was detected in 75% of patients with pulmonary involvement. This finding strongly supports the concept that the main pulmonary change caused by kerosene toxicity is small air way obstruction. All patients with central nervous system complications had severe pulmonary involvement, suggesting a close relationship between the severity of pulmonary involvement and the development of neurological complications. These data support the concept that central nervous system complications are mainly due to hypoxia secondary to pulmonary involvement rather than a direct toxic effect of kerosene on the central nervous system.