Patterns of acute poisoning among pediatric patients at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi between 2014 and 2017

Occurrences of poisoning continue to be reported in Kenya as well as in different parts of the world. Poisoning often occurs due to accidental or deliberate intake of an overdose of chemicals, medical drugs as well as plant or animal toxins. We investigated the recent patterns and extent of acute poisoning, complications and outcomes among pediatric patients treated in Kenyatta National Hospital. A crosssectional retrospective study was conducted in the Pediatric Department. Data was collected from 142 files of pediatric patients aged 0-12 years old for the period 1st January 2014 - 30th June 2017. Data collected included age of the patient, gender, type of poison, circumstances of poisoning, clinical presentation, severity, management and outcomes. Results obtained indicated that the age group most affected was 0-5 years old and that males were more affected than females. Poisoning was mostly attributed to accidental intake. Kerosene, organophosphates and herbal drugs were the leading causative agents. It was found that 32.4% of the patients died from various complications arising from poisoning.Keywords: Poisoning, pediatric patients, Kenyatta National Hospital, kerosene, organophosphates, herbal drug

An in vitro study on the oxytocic action of Adenia Globosa Engl.

Adenia spp. (Passifloraceae) grows widely in many parts of Eastern and Southern Africa. Though some species of the plant are known to be generally toxic, a few of them are used in traditional medical practices. Among the many uses is the claim that when given to goats and cows which have difficulty in giving birth, it hastens the process of giving birth. We found this of interest and set out to investigate it further. We determined the effect of the water extract of Adenia globosa on the isolated preparation of the rat uterus and how this action interacts with ergometrine and prostaglandin F2α, two well-established uterine stimulants. The crude extract and the other drugs were tested on isolated rat uterus set up in an organ bath under the usual laboratory conditions. The results obtained showed that the plant extract caused a dose-dependent contraction of the rat uterus. The contractile effect was potentiated by small doses of ergometrine and prostaglandin F2α. It was therefore postulated that since prostaglandin F-2α also exists as an endogenous hormone which is released at the time of labour, the observed potentiation probably occurs in vivo when the plant preparation is given to domestic animals to ease and speed up the process of giving birth as claimed in the traditional use of this plant. These results therefore provide scientific justification for the traditional usage of the plant preparation.Keywords: Adenia globosa; traditional medicine; oxytocic action; rat uterus; ergometrine; prostaglandin F2α

Jatropha curcas poisoning in children in western Kenya – a case report

A case of Jatropha poisoning in children in Kakamega Division, Kenya is reported. A literature review showed that this plant has caused poisoning in children in other countries. The circumstances leading to poisoning, time to onset of symptoms and the clinical manifestation of poisoning in all cases reported in literature as well as in the present case report show a striking similarity. In all cases, gastrointestinal disturbance (vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhoea) were prominent and these were attributed to curcin a toxalbumin present in the seeds of Jatropha curcas. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance is a consequence of vomiting and diarrhoea. Supportive treatment leads to full recovery, usually within 24 hours.Keywords:  Jatropha curcas, poisoning, plant poisoning, curci