Mace Poisoning: Accidental Toxic Ingestion in a Child Leading to a Reversible Coma.
Cureus December 1, 2024 Ayesha Imtiaz, Bassam M Almutairy, Taghreed M Almutairi et al. 1 citation
A six-year-old child who accidentally swallowed six pieces of mace, a spice derived from the nutmeg plant, developed symptoms resembling serotonin syndrome and anticholinergic poisoning, including altered consciousness and respiratory acidosis. The child recovered with only supportive care and was discharged after 36 hours. Mace contains myristicin, which inhibits monoamine oxidase and is metabolized into a compound with psychedelic effects. Although nutmeg poisoning is more frequently reported, this case illustrates that mace ingestion can also cause serious toxicity, particularly in young children, and underscores the importance of preventing accidental exposures in homes.