3 children hospitalized after eating tree seeds in Vietnam
Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 14:27 GMT+7
Three children aged 1, 4, and 5 suffered serious poisoning after eating the seeds of Jatropha curcas trees, also known as physic nuts or poison nuts, in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam.
A representative of the Ninh Thuan General Hospital said on Tuesday that the hospital promptly gave emergency aid and saved the three children.
The patients are Cao Thi Ngoc K., 5, Ta La Van D., 4, and Ta La Van K., 1, all residing in Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province.
The three were rushed to the hospital on Monday evening, suffering fatigue, pale skin, pale mucous membranes, stomachache, and vomiting.
Their family members said they found Jatropha curcas seeds themselves and ate them.
The children were in stable condition as of Tuesday afternoon.
Jatropha curcas seeds contain 25 percent of oil and curcin, a toxin.
Oil from Jatropha curcas seeds is only used in industries to make fuel and soap, according to doctor Nguyen Thi Huong, head of the pediatric ward of the Ninh Thuan General Hospital.
“Once Jatropha curcas seeds are ingested, curcin will cause serious digestive disorders, threatening the eaters' lives if they do not promptly receive first aid,” doctor Huong added.
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