Hepatic veno-occlusive disease due to pyrrolizidine (Senecio) poisoning in Arizona.

An infant with documented hepatic veno-occlusive disease due to ingestion of pyrrolizidine alkaloids is presented. The alkaloids were ingested in the form of an herbal tea commonly used as a folk remedy among the Mexican-American population. Among these people, this herb is known as gordolobo yerba. The patient presented with acute hepatocellular disease and portal hypertension which progressed over 2 months to extensive hepatic fibrosis. Other potential causes of hepatic venous occlusion were absent.