Hadassah ER director details infant sedative poisoning — four toddlers hospitalized Thursday

The incident, which occurred last Thursday, involved four toddlers who were brought to the Hadassah Ein Kerem pediatric emergency room simultaneously. According to Prof. Sa'ar Hashavia, the rapid onset of symptoms across multiple children raised immediate clinical suspicion. "Due to the complexity of the event, the involvement of several children, and the lack of another clear cause, the concern arose that this was not an accidental ingestion of medications," Hashavia stated.

Medical Findings and Response

Initial rapid testing at the hospital pointed toward benzodiazepines—a class of drugs typically used to treat anxiety and insomnia. These substances can be dangerous for infants, potentially leading to respiratory depression and life-threatening conditions in extreme cases. Following the laboratory confirmation, the hospital provided supportive care and close monitoring for all four patients.

Investigation and Context

Because the exposure affected several children at once, Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital issued an immediate report to the Israel Ministry of Health and the Israel Police. The circumstances of the exposure remain under investigation. This development follows prior reports of suspected hazardous material exposure in Jerusalem's Makor Baruch neighborhood and a recent Health Ministry recall of "Prinok" brand baby fruit puree after traces of sedatives like clonazepam and lorazepam were detected in products sold at local supermarkets. The Zioneer Intelligence Desk continues to monitor whether these incidents are linked as authorities investigate the possibility of deliberate tampering.