Plants that poison in Uruguay.

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Ethnobotany
• Public Health

Background:

• Plant poisoning presents unique challenges influenced by local geography, flora, and cultural practices.
• In Uruguay, "plant calls" to Poison Control Centers are infrequent but often involve symptomatic cases in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the species causing plant poisoning consultations in Uruguay.
• To describe the clinical characteristics of plant poisoning cases.
• To identify challenges faced by Poison Control Centers in managing plant poisonings.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of "plant calls" to the Uruguayan Poison Control Center.
• Review of clinical data associated with plant ingestion cases.
• Categorization of poisoning causes (accidental, therapeutic, intentional).

Main Results:

• Plant poisoning is less frequent in adults, with cases often stemming from self-medication or beliefs about abortive properties in women.
• Accidental poisonings are common in children, while intentional self-harm cases are rare.
• Analysis of specific plant species and their associated clinical presentations.

Conclusions:

• Plant poisoning in Uruguay has distinct patterns, with children being the most affected group.
• Understanding socio-cultural factors is crucial for managing plant-related emergencies.
• Poison Control Centers require tailored strategies to address plant poisoning cases effectively.