[Dieffenbachia poisoning in an infant]

Plant poisoning is becoming an increasingly common reason to consult a doctor.

A 7-month-old infant was sent to the emergency room by her general practitioner with a suspected apparent life-threatening event (ALTE). Her parents reported the sudden development of fluctuating restlessness and listlessness, superficial breathing, vomiting, drowsiness and episodes of loss of consciousness. On physical examination we saw a pale, listless and variably responsive girl. During admission for observation, she improved within a few hours, although she had one episode of blood admixture with the stool. After discharge from hospital, the infant's grandmother suggested that the symptoms could be due to poisoning from a Dieffenbachia plant. The literature supports this explanation.

Young parents and doctors appear to know little about plant toxicity in general and Dieffenbachia in particular. In small children with poorly-understood symptoms, the possibility plant poisoning should be considered.