Aim: Many plants and plant originated products cause poisonings in children in Turkey. This study aims to study 23 plant-derived poisoning cases admitted to Inonu University, Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Pediatrical Emergency Service in terms of agents of toxication and the clinical features in order to decrease the number of poisonings.
Materials and Methods: Twenty three patients who applied to Pediatrical Emergency Service due to plant-derived poisoning between January 2010 and May 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Cases were evaluated in accordance with their age, sex, cause of poisoning, symptoms at application, seasonal distribution, and prognosis.
Results: There were 23 herbal poisoning cases, 1.9% of all cases admitted to the service due to poisoning, within eighteen months. Thirteen of these cases were males and 10 were females. Thirty-nine percent of plant originated poisoning cases were between 0-6 years of age; 34% of cases were between 13-17 years of age; and 26% of cases were between 5-12 years of age. The most common agents for plant originated poisoning were apricot seeds and sprouted potato. Mortality was not observed in our patients. However, as far as morbidity is concerned, one of our patients (4.3%) had to undergo liver transplantation due to cocklebur (Xanhti strumarium) poisoning.
Conclusion: Like all the other types of poisonings, plant-derived poisonings appear as a significant problem during childhood. Preventive precautions, having a knowledge about the flora of the region and common toxic plants, and increasing the level of literacy in the community by educating the society may minimise mortality and morbidity.
Key Words: Plant; child; poisoning.
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