Common plant ingestions

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Environmental Health
• Pediatric Medicine

Background:

• Poison control centers receive numerous calls about plant ingestions annually.
• Pediatric accidental ingestions constitute the majority of these calls.
• Household plants range from benign to cardiotoxic, posing significant risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the types and trends of plant ingestions reported to a poison center.
• To highlight the risks associated with both accidental and intentional plant ingestions in children.
• To emphasize the role of toxicologic consultation in managing plant poisonings.

Main Methods:

• Review of call data from the Florida Poison Information and Toxicology Resource Center.
• Analysis of cases involving toxic and nontoxic plant ingestions.
• Categorization of ingestions by intent (accidental, intentional) and plant type.

Main Results:

• Majority of calls concern accidental pediatric ingestions of household plants.
• Increasing reports of ingestions for hallucinogenic effects.
• Cases of misidentification between toxic and nontoxic plants are noted.

Conclusions:

• Plant ingestions, particularly in children, represent a significant public health concern.
• Accurate plant identification and prompt toxicologic assessment are crucial for effective management.
• Poison control centers provide vital resources for clinicians managing plant exposures.