Mass Jatropha Plant Seed Poisoning Profile and Clinical Outcome of Cases

Introduction: Despite lot of parental care & disciplined care at schools, accidental poisoning is not an uncommon presentation in paediatric emergency.

Objective: Case Report is aimed to describe clinical profile and outcome of children admitted for acute jatropha poisoning at community health centre (CHC) in District Fatehgarh sahib, Punjab.

Material & Methods: Children admitted to CHC for acute Jatropha plant seed poisoning were subjects of study. Chief complaints, history, clinical presentation, laboratory findings and treatment modality and outcome of patients and duration of treatment were recorded on CHC charts, mean, summation, percentage & frequency distribution were used where applicable.

Result: 36 children reported in study belonged to local primary school age ranging from 6-12 years. Most prominent symptom of poisoning is nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and most serious sequel hypovolaemic shock.

Conclusion: Jatropha plant seed poisoning manifests as gastrointestinal symptoms. Cornerstone of treatment is decontamination and hydration.