From cultural remedy to medical emergency: a case report of camphor toxicity in a one-year-old male patient

Abstract

Background: Camphor (CMP) is widely used for cultural and medicinal purposes in regions like the Middle East, India, Nigeria, and Latin America. Despite its traditional uses, CMP presents serious toxic risks, particularly in infants and children, where even small ingested doses can lead to life-threatening symptoms. This case report highlights the risk posed by camphor ingestion in a pediatric patient, emphasizing its relevance to healthcare providers in regions where camphor is commonly used.

Case presentation: A one-year-old male was admitted to the Dr. Hugo Mendoza Pediatric Hospital in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, after ingesting camphor tablets. He presented in a postictal state following generalized tonic–clonic seizures at home, with further seizures occurring in the hospital. The seizures were controlled with intravenous diazepam, and diagnostic tests, including a head CT scan, revealed no significant abnormalities. The patient received supportive care, including levetiracetam for seizure control, and was monitored in the pediatric intensive care unit. After clinical improvement, he was transferred to the general pediatric unit without further complications.

Conclusions: This case highlights the dangers of camphor exposure, particularly in young children, and the need for healthcare providers to consider CMP poisoning in cases of unexplained seizures. It also underscores the importance of educating parents about the safe storage of camphor-containing products. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of camphor toxicity and develop effective public health measures to prevent such poisonings.