Treatment of Colocasia (Taro Root) Ingestion in Children
The primary treatment for colocasia ingestion in children is supportive care with oral rehydration therapy to manage gastrointestinal symptoms, as there is no specific antidote for taro toxicity.
Initial Assessment and Management
- Evaluate the degree of dehydration based on clinical signs such as skin turgor, mucous membrane moisture, lethargy, and capillary refill time 1
- For mild dehydration (3-5% fluid deficit): administer 50 mL/kg of oral rehydration solution (ORS) over 2-4 hours 2
- For moderate dehydration (6-9% fluid deficit): administer 100 mL/kg of ORS over 2-4 hours 2
- For severe dehydration (≥10% fluid deficit): initiate intravenous fluid therapy until the child is stabilized enough for oral rehydration 1
Managing Gastrointestinal Symptoms
- Administer small volumes of ORS (5-10 mL) every 1-2 minutes for children with vomiting, gradually increasing the amount as tolerated 1
- Avoid antimotility drugs (e.g., loperamide) in children as they can cause serious side effects including ileus, drowsiness, and potentially fatal abdominal distention 1
- Consider nasogastric administration of ORS if the child cannot tolerate oral intake or refuses to drink adequately 2
Nutritional Management
- Continue breastfeeding on demand throughout the episode for breastfed infants 2
- For bottle-fed infants, resume full-strength, lactose-free, or lactose-reduced formulas immediately upon rehydration 2
- Older children should continue their usual diet during recovery, focusing on easily digestible foods such as starches, cereals, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables 2
Monitoring and Follow-up
- Monitor for signs of calcium oxalate toxicity, which may cause burning and irritation of the mouth and throat due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in taro 3
- Watch for signs of respiratory distress, as severe cases of taro toxicity may affect the respiratory system 3
- Observe for potential liver effects, as high doses of colocasia extract have shown increased AST levels in animal studies 3
Special Considerations
- Raw or improperly cooked taro contains higher levels of calcium oxalate crystals and other antinutrients like tannins, phytates, and oxalates that can cause irritation and toxicity 4
- Cooking methods significantly reduce antinutritional factors in taro, so symptoms may be less severe if the ingested taro was properly cooked 4
- While taro has shown some beneficial properties including anti-inflammatory effects in research settings, these do not outweigh the potential toxicity in acute ingestion scenarios 5, 6
When to Seek Emergency Care
- Immediate medical attention is required for children showing signs of severe dehydration, respiratory distress, or altered mental status 1
- Seek emergency care if there is evidence of significant oral or esophageal burns from calcium oxalate crystals 7
- Consider endoscopic evaluation in cases with persistent symptoms of esophageal injury or inability to swallow 7