Severe childhood poisoning caused by Ferraga practices. Data from the Moroccan Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Centre.

Abstract

Objectives: To highlight the complications associated with the products and practice of healers "Ferraga" who treat young children using traditional Moroccan pharmacopoeia.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of cases of products and practice of "Ferraga" intoxication in young children reported to the Moroccan Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Center (MPCPC), Rabat, Morocco, from 2010-2020.

Results: During the study period, 24 cases of products and practice of "Ferraga" poisoning were reported to MPCPC, Rabat, Morocco. The average age of the patients was 2.48 years. The oral route was noted in 21 cases. The vast majority of patients (23 cases) exhibited symptoms upon admission, predominantly of digestive (16 cases), respiratory (3 cases), and neurological (4 cases). However, 29.16% of patients presented with both digestive and respiratory symptoms, 20.83% had digestive and neurological symptoms, and 4 cases manifested all 3 types of symptoms. The outcome was positive in 18 patients and fatal in 2 infants.

Conclusion: Products and practice of "Ferraga" poisoning in children remains a major health problem. It is crucial to implement a strategy to combat this type of practice in order to reduce the prevalence of such poisoning.