title: [Hemolytic anemia after voluntary ingestion of henna (Lawsonia inermis) decoction by a young girl with G6PD deficiency].
abstract: Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a shrub bearing leaves that are crushed and used for cosmetic purposes in Asia and Africa. In several countries, henna decoction is ingested as a traditional drug to induce abortion. One component of Henna, known as Lawsone, can induce hemolysis in G6PD-deficient patients after cutaneous exposure or ingestion. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of severe hemolytic anemia after voluntary ingestion of Henna decoction to induce abortion. This complication led to diagnosis of partial moderate G6PD-deficiency in the 17-year-old patient living in Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. This report emphasizes the life-threatening hazards associated with some plant extracts used as traditional medicines.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine polyvalente, hôpital de Mamoudzou, Mayotte.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Perinet
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lioson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tichadou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glaizal
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Haro
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000293:Adolescent; D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017507:Comoros; D005260:Female; D005955:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D031564:Lawsonia Plant / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy