Master, Doctor Bui Tien Cong, Department of Emergency and Anti-Poison (National Children's Hospital) said that the family of the two children mistook daffodil leaves for chives and used them to cook congee to treat the children's cough. After eating, both children showed gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomachache and continuous vomiting. The family immediately realized the mistake and took the children to the hospital.
At the Emergency and Poison Control Department, the children were hospitalized to monitor their vital functions and were given measures to remove toxins from their bodies by gastric lavage combined with the use of activated charcoal to absorb toxins and as a laxative.
Doctors also provided hydration and electrolytes and performed tests to assess liver, kidney, and heart function to promptly detect complications. Thanks to the active intervention of the medical team, after just over a day of treatment, the health of the two children stabilized and they were safely discharged from the hospital.
Narcissus is native to Europe, China, Japan, recently the plant has been introduced to Vietnam. The plant belongs to the genus Narcissus, including about 40 species of bulbous plants, belonging to the family Amaryllidaceae. Most narcissus are perennials, the leaves grow from bulbs in the spring, the leaves are flat, the plant is 20cm -1.6m high depending on the species. The flower is trumpet-shaped, yellow, white, pink with six petals, the center is the pistil. Narcissus has bulbs like onions, the leaves are similar to garlic leaves but thinner.
All parts of the daffodil plant are poisonous, especially the bulbs. The plant contains Lycorine, an alkaloid that inhibits the enzyme cholinesterase, causing cholinergic symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, sweating, and slow heart rate. If you accidentally eat a large amount of daffodils, it can cause convulsions, circulatory and respiratory depression, and coma. In addition, the bulbs of daffodils contain oxalates, which if swallowed can cause burns and irritation to the mucous membranes of the lips, tongue, and throat.
In addition to daffodils, some other plants such as money tree and water yam can also cause burns and irritation to the mouth and throat when children eat them by mistake. Therefore, doctors recommend that parents carefully research information about indoor plants to ensure children's safety. Avoid planting or displaying poisonous plants in places where children are present, and keep them out of reach of children. Parents and caregivers need to supervise children at all times to ensure their safety. In case children accidentally eat daffodils or other poisonous plants, parents should not arbitrarily make the child vomit; the child should be taken immediately to the nearest medical facility for timely examination and treatment.
