Abstract
Despite its potential toxicity, star anise infusions are commonly used for treating colic in infants. Cases of infants with acute neurological symptoms related to the ingestion of large quantities of star shaped anise have recently been reported in the literature. We report a 23 day old girl, admitted to the emergency room with a convulsive status after ingesting a considerable amount of star anise, given to relieve infantil colic. The patient required 3 repeat doses of diazepam to control her seizures. Because no other clinical signs were found and the outcome was favourable without additional anticonvulsant therapy, the clinical symptoms can be attributed to star anise ingestion. The aetiopathogenesis of this process and star anise toxicity are discussed and the need for the regulation of natural products with pharmacological effects which are freely available is discussed.
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Copyright (c) 2002 Revista Chilena de Pediatría