Accidental aspiration of kerosene is a common problem among children in developing countries. This descriptive study involved the retrospective analysis of children admitted with kerosene aspiration in a tertiary care hospital in South India for a year. Kerosene aspiration contributed to 60.4% of poisoning cases. Boys aged less than three years and from a rural background formed a significant proportion. Tachypnoea, cough and crepitations were the predominant clinical findings. Male gender and malnutrition (weight for age <80%) were significantly associated with prolonged hospital stay.
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