Seizures in a 7-month-old child after exposure to the essential plant oil thuja.
A previously healthy 7-month-old child was treated with homeopathic preparations of thuja, a potentially convulsant compound, for the purpose of providing a calming effect around times of immunizations. The child developed eight generalized tonic-clonic seizures with no other obvious cause, in the context of normal electroencephalograms and a normal brain magnetic resonance imaging scan. Seizures stopped after discontinuation of thuja and brief treatment with phenobarbital. The epileptogenic potential of plant-derived essential oils and other herbal remedies should be recognized by practitioners providing neurologic care to children.
Stafstrom
Carl E
CE
Section of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792, USA. stafstrom@neurology.wisc.edu
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012640:Seizures; D029783:Thuja / Q000737:chemistry*
D010938:Plant Oils; D028321:Plant Preparations