Respiratory Failure in a Neonate After Folk Treatment With Broom Bush (Retama raetam) Extract

Objectives: To increase the awareness of intoxication by folk herbal remedies in the pediatric population. Methods: Case report of a 7-day-old baby boy admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit in a university-affiliated hospital. Results: The patient presented with respiratory failure and central nervous system depression. Specific questioning of the parents revealed consumption of folk herbal remedy by the neonate. Mechanical ventilation was used for 24 hours until normal activity level resumed. Conclusions: The possibility of intoxication in a neonate should not be overlooked. Folk herbal remedies, especially if taken in larger than recommended amounts, may be hazardous. Accessible herbal and folk medicine data bank will contribute to a better treatment of patients having side effects of these remedies.