[Hepatic veno-occlusive disease: report of a case].

OBJECTIVE

To alert the pediatricians about a disease caused by herbal teas considered harmless.

METHODS

Report of a case of Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease in a child and review of the literature (MEDLINE and LILACS).

RESULTS

Description of a case of a sudden beginning portal hypertension, secondary to Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease in a 2 year and 5 month-old-patient, coming from Cruz Alta-RS-Brazil, after a chronic consumption of herbal tea called "maria-mole" (Senecio brasiliensis), which contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, known as hepatotoxic. After an adequate treatment, the patient presented a complete clinical and laboratorial recovery, and nowadays he doesńt show any symptoms anymore.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevention of this disease depends on its divulgation among physicians and the general population, and the knowledge of toxic effects of many "innocuous" teas.