Seizures in a 7-month-old child after exposure to the essential plant oil thuja

Pediatr Neurol. 2007 Dec;37(6):446-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2007.07.008.

Abstract

A previously healthy 7-month-old child was treated with homeopathic preparations of thuja, a potentially convulsant compound, for the purpose of providing a calming effect around times of immunizations. The child developed eight generalized tonic-clonic seizures with no other obvious cause, in the context of normal electroencephalograms and a normal brain magnetic resonance imaging scan. Seizures stopped after discontinuation of thuja and brief treatment with phenobarbital. The epileptogenic potential of plant-derived essential oils and other herbal remedies should be recognized by practitioners providing neurologic care to children.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Phytotherapy / methods*
  • Plant Oils / therapeutic use*
  • Plant Preparations / therapeutic use*
  • Seizures
  • Thuja / chemistry*

Substances

  • Plant Oils
  • Plant Preparations