Grayanotoxin poisoning from Rhododendron simsii in an infant.
We report a case of severe poisoning in a 57-day-old infant who presented with vomiting, convulsions, and shock after ingesting a bottle of milk containing a decoction of Rhododendron simsii. The grandmother collected this toxic plant from a cultivated area, believing it was good for the airways. Grayanotoxin was detected in both the urine and plant specimens. The infant made a good recovery after requiring ventilatory support for 2 days. Rhododendron is a common gardening shrub in Hong Kong. Some Rhododendron species are poisonous and contain grayanotoxin. Intentional or accidental ingestion of toxic plants can be severe or even life-threatening. It is therefore essential that clinicians be familiar with local toxic plant species.
Poon
W T
WT
Hospital Authority Toxicology Reference Laboratory, Princess Margaret Hospital, Laichikok, Hong Kong.
Ho
C H
CH
Yip
K L
KL
Lai
C K
CK
Cheung
K L
KL
Sung
Rita Y T
RY
Chan
Albert Y W
AY
Mak
Tony W L
TW
D004224:Diterpenes / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D010947:Plants, Toxic / Q000506:poisoning*; D029793:Rhododendron / Q000506:poisoning*; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced
D004224:Diterpenes; C001311:grayanotoxin I