Poisoning with plants and mushrooms in Sri Lanka: a retrospective hospital based study.
A retrospective hospital-based study in Sri Lanka showed that out of 4556 cases of poisoning, 2.5% were caused by plants and mushrooms. Gloriosa superba (44%), and Ricinus communis (24%) were the commonest plants responsible for poisoning; 39% of the victims were less than 15 y old. Gastric lavage and iv fluids were the most common therapeutic measures used. There were 8 deaths, all due to G superba. There is a need for public education to prevent poisoning, which is a major health concern.
Fernando
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Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Fernando
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009145:Mushroom Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology