11 children treated for eating its fruit
THE HEAD of the Pediatric ward at National Referral Hospital has warned children not to eat a plant, which its leaves look like cassava and the fruits taste like nuts.
This came after 11 children between four to six years old were treated and discharged at the hospital yesterday after eating the plant at Burns Creek, east Honiara.
Dr Titus Nasi said fruits of the plant caused continuous vomiting when the children ate them.
“Luckily no one died after eating the fruits because they were brought early at the hospital,” Dr Nasi said.
He said if the children leave far from the hospital and experienced transport problem, some of them may die from dehydration.
“The fruits taste good but they can lead to severe dehydration,” he said.
“The children are quite well-nourished with so no complications,” he added.
Dr Nasi said if some of them have underlying health problems, they might have other complications.
“We collected some bloods to see the effects of the fruits on their body system.
“If any botanist knows this plant and the toxins it has, they should inform us so we can know how to go about it,” he said.
The Solomon Star understands similar cases had happened in the past but not with this plant.
By EDDIE OSIFELO