Hanoi (VNA) - The number of children admittedto the Hanoi-based National Paediatrics Hospital for disorders following theuse of a traditional medicine called "thuoc cam" has increased.

In the first three weeks of June, eight children were admitted to hospital withserious nerve and digestive system disorders.

Several of these children suffered from lead poisoning.

According to the hospital, every year, doctors receive dozens of young patientssuffering from lead poisoning after ingesting thuoc cam becauseadults lack knowledge of the medicine’s properties.

Literally translated as "orange medicine", thuoc cam isa traditional powder with detoxification properties that can supposedly curemouth sores, furry tongue, constipation, as well as spur growth in children.

In one such case, seven-month-old Nguyen Van Hoa from Ninh Binh provincewas suffering from severe food poisoning. Hoa’s parents were worried westernmedicine would make the child vomit, so they bought thuoc cam tocure his flu and cough.

However, seven days after taking the traditional medicine, the child beganvomiting and developed convulsions. 

Tests by the National Paediatrics Hospital revealed Hoa was suffering fromsevere lead poisoning.

Dr Le Ngoc Duy, deputy head of the Emergency and Toxic Management Department ofthe National Paediatrics Hospital, said “Despite warnings about lead poisoningrisks in thuoc cam of unknown origin, many parents believethe "miracle medicine" can help children gain weight and cure commondiseases. It is also used to clean up children’s tongue. These misconceptionsresult in serious consequences for children.”

Doctors said lead poisoning has serious consequences, causing diseases relatedto the nerve system, blood, stomach, heart and kidney. Upon entering the body,this metal accumulates for long in the internal organs, especially the bones.It takes dozens of years for it to be released from the body.

Ingesting thuoc cam is among the leading causes of leadpoisoning, besides exposure to polluted environment, toys containing lead andlead bullets.

Poisoned children suffer from anaemia, frequent nausea and vomiting, abdominalpain, loss of appetite and fatigue. In more severe cases, the child gets easilyirritated, is unwilling to cooperate with family members and classmates andshows signs of his intellectual development being affected.

Doctors have warned parents to avoid buying and using thuoc cam withouta prescription. Further, only medicines of manufacturers and distributors thathave legal certificate and clear origin should be used.-VNA