Hallucinogenic plant poisoning in children

Datura is a hallucinogenic plant found in urban or rural areas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia KSA. It grows wildly in many parts of the country. Its taste and shape makes it unattractive to both man and animals, though deliberate use by young adults for its hallucinogenic effects have been widely reported for the past 30 years. Datura contains 3 main toxic alkaloids: atropine, scopolamine and hyoscamine. Consumption of any part of the plant can result in severe anticholinergic toxicity. Clinical symptoms are those seen in atropine poisoning, particularly mydriasis and hallucinations. Children have a special susceptibility to atropine toxicity; even small amount may produce central nervous system manifestations. Hospitalization is required for agitation and combative behavior although symptomatic treatment is usually sufficient. We report a case of acute Datura stramonium intoxication in a 6-year-old boy from Khamis Mushayt, KSA, who presented with restlessness, hallucinations and mydriasis 8 hours after ingesting the seeds of Datura plant

Datura induced delirium: a report of two cases

The native herbal plants belonging to the Solanaceous family are found worldwide including Saudi Arabia. Though the various parts of these plants are used as herbal medicines in the treatment of a variety of diseases, some of them are toxic to humans and animals. We report two cases who treat themselves with cooked Datura leaves for common cold but developed toxic features suggestive of peripheral and central anticholinergic syndromes, in particular delirium. Besides discussing different aspects of Datura poisoning, it is recommended that clinicians working in emergency departments of general and psychiatric hospitals should take relevant history of herbal plant consumption in patients who present with acute delirium, in order to make a correct diagnosis and give specific treatment