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Camphor ingestion for abortion (case report). 1997

W Rabl, and F Katzgraber, and M Steinlechner
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Innsbruck, Austria.

The case of a 16-year-old girl who ingested 30 g of camphor dissolved with 250 ml wine to induce abortion is reported. The girl started vomiting 45 min after ingestion, which may have saved her life. Camphor is present in a number of over-the-counter medications, mainly for external application, and is readily available in drugstores. The substance is highly toxic and rapid in onset. The reported human lethal dose is 50 to 500 mg kg-1. Camphor ingestion may lead to abortion because camphor crosses the placenta and fetuses lack the enzymes to hydroxylate and conjugate with glucuronic acid. The girl was charged with intended abortion.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D002164 Camphor A bicyclic monoterpene ketone found widely in plants, especially CINNAMOMUM CAMPHORA. It is used topically as a skin antipruritic and as an anti-infective agent. Camphor, (+-)-Isomer,Camphor, (1R)-Isomer,Camphor, (1S)-Isomer
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000022 Abortion, Spontaneous Expulsion of the product of FERTILIZATION before completing the term of GESTATION and without deliberate interference. Abortion, Tubal,Early Pregnancy Loss,Miscarriage,Spontaneous Abortion,Abortions, Spontaneous,Abortions, Tubal,Early Pregnancy Losses,Loss, Early Pregnancy,Losses, Early Pregnancy,Miscarriages,Pregnancy Loss, Early,Pregnancy Losses, Early,Spontaneous Abortions,Tubal Abortion,Tubal Abortions
D000024 Abortion, Criminal Illegal termination of pregnancy. Abortion, Illegal,Illegal Abortion,Abortions, Criminal,Abortions, Illegal,Criminal Abortion,Criminal Abortions,Illegal Abortions
D000032 Abortion, Therapeutic Abortion induced to save the life or health of a pregnant woman. (From Dorland, 28th ed) Therapeutic Abortion,Abortions, Therapeutic,Therapeutic Abortions
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D014839 Vomiting The forcible expulsion of the contents of the STOMACH through the MOUTH. Emesis

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