Doctors at Ankura Hospital for Women and Children, Aundh, Pune, successfully treated a two-year-old boy after he accidentally ingested acetic acid, a corrosive household cleaning chemical. The incident caused severe burns to his mouth, food pipe, chest, genitals, and groin. A swift, coordinated medical response led by Dr. Milind Jambagi and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) team ensured timely stabilization, safe ventilated transport from Satara, and comprehensive management of the child’s airway, internal injuries, and chemical burns. Through prompt endoscopic evaluation and continuous pediatric critical care, the team prevented serious complications and guided the child toward a steady recovery.
A Children’s Day Incident That Turned Critical
On Children’s Day, Arjun (name changed), a two-year-old boy from Satara, faced a sudden life-threatening emergency. He accidentally drank acetic acid that had been stored in a drinking water bottle. Within minutes, the corrosive liquid burned his lips, oral cavity, and food pipe, while also causing painful chemical injuries to his chest and groin.
As Arjun struggled to breathe and cried in agony, his parents watched in shock and fear. What had been a normal, joyful day quickly turned into a race against time, as the family desperately sought medical help.
Immediate Stabilization and Emergency Referral
Arjun was rushed to a hospital in Satara, where Dr. Ghorpade immediately recognized the severity of the injury. Acting without delay, he stabilized the child and arranged an urgent referral for advanced pediatric care. Meanwhile, Ankura Hospital’s specialized neonatal and pediatric transport and retrieval team, guided by Dr. Milind Jambagi, travelled from Pune to Satara.
Using a fully equipped ambulance, the team secured the child on ventilator support and continuously monitored him during the high-risk transfer. Upon arrival at Ankura Hospital for Women & Children, Pune, Dr. Jambagi and his PICU team took over the child’s care.
Comprehensive Critical Care at Ankura Hospital
Describing the condition on arrival, Dr. Milind Jambagi said,
“Arjun had scald burns over his body, and his oral cavity showed signs of corrosion. We performed an immediate endoscopy, which revealed corrosive injury to the food pipe, although, fortunately, there was no perforation.”
The team continued ventilator support until the child’s breathing stabilized. At the same time, they treated the chemical burns on the chest and groin with specialized dressings and medications to prevent infection and promote healing.
Managing Multiple Life-Threatening Injuries
Dr. Jambagi emphasized that chemical ingestion in toddlers is extremely dangerous because tissue damage begins instantly and can worsen rapidly, often leading to lifelong complications.
“In Arjun’s case, we had to manage airway compromise, corrosive injury to the food pipe, and external burns simultaneously,” he explained.
Timely stabilization, safe ventilated transport, and prompt endoscopic evaluation, combined with evidence-based medical management, helped the team prevent life-threatening complications such as tissue necrosis, perforation, disseminated intravascular coagulation, shock, and sepsis. Throughout this period, the PICU team closely monitored the child’s airway, nutrition, and wound healing around the clock.
Gradual Recovery and Safe Discharge
As Arjun’s condition improved, the team cautiously weaned him off ventilator support. They restarted feeding carefully, initially through a tube to protect the injured food pipe, and later orally once swallowing improved. Over the next few days, the toddler responded well to treatment. His burns began healing, his breathing normalized, and his oral intake gradually returned.
One week later, Arjun was discharged from the hospital, marking a remarkable recovery in a case that could have had a very different outcome.
A Strong Message on Child Safety at Home
As per the press release, Dr. Jambagi stressed the importance of prevention.
“This case is a reminder for families to store household chemicals safely, out of the reach and sight of children. Storing corrosive substances in drinking water or soft drink bottles significantly increases the risk of accidental ingestion, especially in children under five years of age. Accidents often happen even when parents are around, but the child is unattended. Simple precautions at home can prevent life-threatening emergencies.”
Strength of a Coordinated Pediatric Emergency System
Highlighting Ankura Hospital’s preparedness, the team noted,
“Every minute matters in cases of poisoning and corrosive ingestion. When Arjun arrived, his airway was fragile, his mucosa was severely injured, and he was in significant pain. At Ankura, we have built a comprehensive pediatric emergency system that includes rapid response retrieval services, advanced bronchoscopic and endoscopic facilities, and a highly trained intensive care team. Arjun’s recovery shows how coordinated, compassionate, and evidence-based pediatric care can truly change outcomes.”
A Parent’s Gratitude and Relief
Expressing her emotions, Arjun’s mother said,
“Seeing our little boy struggle to breathe and scream in pain was unbearable. When doctors told us his condition was critical, our world collapsed. But when Ankura’s specialized children’s retrieval team arrived, we felt hope for the first time. They treated him gently while acting quickly, and once we reached the hospital, every doctor and nurse cared for him like family. Watching him breathe on his own and take his first sip of water again felt like a miracle. We will always be grateful to Dr. Milind Jambagi and the Ankura team for giving our child a second chance at life.”
Through timely intervention, expert teamwork, and compassionate care, Ankura Hospital transformed a devastating accident into a story of survival and recovery.