The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
2014 , Vol 56 , Num 3
A Case of Pediatric Age Anticholinergic Intoxication due to Accidental Datura stramonium Ingestion Admitting with Visual Hallucination
2Division of Pediatric Emergency, 1Department of Pediatrics, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
E-mail: oderinoz@gazi.edu.tr, oksan197@yahoo.com
Datura stramonium (DS) is a hallucinogenic plant that can produce anticholinergic
toxicity because of its significant concentrations of toxic alkaloids, such as
atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine. DS grows in both rural and urban
areas in Turkey. Clinical findings of toxicity are similar to those of atropine
toxicity. DS abuse is common among adolescents because of its hallucinatory
effects. However, accidental DS poisoning from contaminated food is very
rare. Accidental poisonings are commonly seen among children. Children are
more prone to the toxic effects of atropine; ingestion of even a small amount
can cause serious central nervous system symptoms. Treatment is supportive;
antidote treatment is given rarely. An eight-year-old male with accidental
DS poisoning who presented to the Pediatric Emergency Department with
aggression, agitation, delirium, and visual hallucinations is reported.
Keywords :
atropine, anticholinergic, children, Datura stramonium, poisoning.