RESUMO
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 doesnt 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.