INTOXICATION BY HOMEMADE INFUSIONS IN A 4-MONTH-OLD INFANT: CLINICAL CASE REPORT

Abstract

Poisoning caused by medicinal plants and homemade herbal infusions represents a relevant and often underestimated cause of morbidity in the pediatric population, particularly among infants. Despite the widespread belief that these preparations are harmless, many plants contain bioactive compounds with potential toxic effects. This study aims to report a case of poisoning due to homemade herbal infusions in a four-month-old infant, highlighting the severity of the associated metabolic and renal impairment. We describe the case of a previously healthy female infant who was admitted to a pediatric emergency department with diarrhea, feeding refusal, and respiratory distress following the home administration of herbal infusions containing anise, chamomile, and boldo, without dosage or concentration control. On admission, the patient presented signs of dehydration, acute laryngitis, and severe metabolic imbalance, characterized by profound metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, and acute kidney injury. The infant required hospitalization, intensive clinical support, and repeated metabolic corrections, showing progressive clinical and laboratory improvement, with complete recovery by the third day of hospitalization. This case underscores the heightened vulnerability of infants to toxic substances due to metabolic and renal immaturity and emphasizes the clinical relevance of investigating the use of traditional home remedies during medical history taking. In conclusion, poisoning from homemade herbal infusions may lead to severe and potentially preventable complications in early infancy, reinforcing the need for health education strategies aimed at parents and caregivers to discourage unsafe practices and promote timely medical consultation.