Paediatria Croatica, Vol. 62 No. 3, 2018.
Stručni rad
https://doi.org/10.13112/PC.2018.21
The cuckoopint (Arum maculatum) – unintentional plant poisoning in two children: case report
Iva Sorić
; OB Zadar
Ana Klanac
Jasmina Friganović-Huljev
Sažetak
Unintentional plant poisoning is not so rare in everyday practice, especially in paediatric population. The cuckoopint (Arum maculatum
L.) is one of rarely described causes of poisoning which can lead to numerous symptoms including fatal outcome. The most
important cuckoopint toxin is cyanogenic glycoside triglochinin, which causes classic symptoms of cyanide poisoning and requires
a specifi c antidote. In this case report, we describe the case of two minors, a 13-year-old boy and his 11-year-old sister, who unintentionally
ate the unknown amount of the cuckoopint leaves. They presented with early symptoms of the cuckoopint poisoning, which
include burning sensation in the oral cavity and chest, as well as diffi culties with swallowing. The mentioned symptoms are the
consequence of calcium oxalate crystals in plant leaves, which cause local irritation. Moreover, these crystals allow other toxins enter
the body by damaging the skin-mucosa barrier. Along with symptomatic therapy, the children were treated with active carbon and
observed for 24 hours, so that signs of cyanide poisoning, such as dyspnoea, cardiac rhythm abnormalities and neurological disorders,
could be noticed on time. Fortunately, the children did not develop late poisoning symptoms, which we attributed to the fact
that the plant had been previously cooked and the toxic component is thermolabile. The aim of this case report is to point to the
possibility of cuckoopint poisoning, to explain complex symptomatology to which it can lead and the treatment required by such a
patient.
Ključne riječi
ARUM MACULATUM; CYANIDES; CYANOGENIC GLYCOSIDES; CALCIUM OXALATE; POISONING
Hrčak ID:
216976
URI
Datum izdavanja:
25.9.2018.
Posjeta: 6.174 *