Mushroom poisonings in children in Central Anatolia

The aim of this study was the analysis of mushroom poisonings (MP) in children in Central Anatolia. Casesyounger than 18y-of-age, who presented and were diagnosed as MP between January 1991 and December 2002 were evaluated for gender, age, presenting month, city of residence, first noticed symptoms, vital signs, laboratory studies, hospitalization period and outcome. Sixty-four cases were enrolled; 36 were female (56.3%). The mean age was 8.6y. May and June were the most common presenting months, with 46 cases (71.8%); 61 cases (95.3%) were poisoned by wild mushrooms (WM). The most common first noticed symptoms were from the gastroinal system (GIS) (70.6%); 67.2% of cases presented to second level health centers when the first symptoms started; 92.2% were admitted to the hospital. Mean hospitalization period was 2.8 d. Five cases (7.8%) had a fatal outcome. All the fatal cases were from WM poisoning and from the same city. Their first noticed symptoms were GIS symptoms. All fatal cases had delayed presentations. Cultivated MP did not result in bad outcomes in the pediatric age group. WM were the main source of MP in children in our region in Turkey. Education of the public about consuming mushrooms, and health personnel working in health centers for early treatment and transfer to the appropriate facility are important to decrease mortality.