Reporting on Adverse Clinical Events

Abstract

Consequences related to Sophora secundiflora intentional abuse or intentional misuse were evaluated using data from 47 reports received by the Texas Poison Center Network during 2000 to 2018. The part of Sophora secundiflora most frequently involved in the ingestion was the seed (91.5%). Relatively few cases reported the ingestion of the flower (2.1%) or an unknown plant part (6.4%). Of the seed ingestion cases, the mean number of sees ingested was 1.7 (range =1-16 seeds) with the majority involving the ingestion of only one seed (82.9%). Fewer reports involved 2 seeds (11.4%), 6 seeds (2.9%), and 16 seeds (2.9%). Almost half of the patients (48.9%) were 13 to 19 years of age. Approximately one fifth (21.3%) were aged 12 years or less, and approximately one third (29.8%) were at least 20 years of age. The majority of patients were male (78.7%). The most frequently cited locations were the home (66%), school (17%), and public area (10.6%). Approximately one fifth were referred to a health care facility (19.1%). Slightly more than half (55.3%) of the cases reported symptoms, with the most frequently reported clinical effects including vomiting (34.0%), nausea (29.8%), and abdominal pain (21.3%). Based on this retrospective review of data from the Texas Poison Center Network, the authors concluded that approximately half of the cases of ingestion of Sophora secundiflora resulted in symptoms, predominantly gastrointestinal in nature. Sophora secundiflora [Sophora secundiflora, Texas Mountain Laurel] Forrester MB et al (MB Forrester, Independent Researcher, Austin, TX; e-mail: mathias.forrester@gmail.com) Abuse and misuse of Sophora secundiflora in Texas. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 58:302–303 (Apr) 2020