Acid ingestion in a 2-day old baby.

The incidence of chemical burns is low when compared to thermal burns. It can occur in little children accidentally if chemicals are left within their reach. A case is presented of a 2-day old male child who ingested a corrosive substance in unknown circumstances. He developed severe respiratory problems necessitating endotracheal intubation, and later died from acute necrotizing oesophago-gastritis and lung collapse. The severity of damage caused by corrosive chemicals is discussed and the role of the anaesthetist in the initial management is highlighted.