Introduction:

Poisonings by plants constitute between 1 and 2% of all poisonings in the national toxicology centers.

Objective:

To describe the epidemiology of intoxications by plants registered in the National Toxicology Center, Asunción, Paraguay, from 2011 to 2017.

Methodology:

Descriptive observational study with analytical, retrospective, cross-sectional component, and non-probabilistic convenience sampling. It was considered plant poisoning any case where the exposure to plants motivated the consultation and treatment at the National Center of Toxicology.

Results:

Forty-five intoxications by plants were included. The median age was 6 years. A higher frequency was observed in males (25, 55.6%). Poisonings by Aleurites fordii, Pinus elliottii, Pimpinella anisum and Jatropha curcas were more frequent in children under five years, while Brugmansia arborea, Aleurites moluccanus and Citrus aurantium predominated in adolescents and adults. Accidental poisoning (56.7%) and that related to folk medicine (42.9%) were more frequent in children under five years of age, while abuse and suicide attempt predominated in adolescents and adults (100%) (p <0.05). Most of the poisonings (84.4%) occurred at home. Ingestion was the most frequent route of intoxication (95.6%).

Conclusion:

Intoxications by plants predominated in male children, being the most frequent cause accidental poisoning and related to folk medicine. The most involved plants were Brugmansia arborea, Aleurites fordii, Aleurites moluccanus and Pinus elliottii.

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