Pediatric emergency medicine trisk 3129 3129

Plants are among the more commonly reported exploratory ingestions in children.
Most such ingestions involve common house and garden plants. Fortunately, of
the many varieties of such plants, only a small fraction poses a serious toxic
hazard ( Tables 102.18 and 102.19 ).
When a child visits the ED after plant ingestion, a general evaluation should be
performed. Activated charcoal may be useful in adsorbing plant toxins. The child
who remains asymptomatic after a period of observation may be discharged and
observed at home. Children who develop symptoms or for whom there is strong
suspicion or confirmation that the ingested plant poses a potentially serious
intoxication should be admitted for further observation and specific or supportive
treatment.