Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to draw a picture of our center by evaluating the clinical features and outcomes of pediatric emergency practices related to mushroom consumption, and to produce data that will guide patient management and education planning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The files of patients below 18 years of age who applied to the emergency department with the diagnosis of mushroom poisoning in a 10-year period retrospectively were examined and the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded a form and evaluated. RESULTS: Within the evaluated period, 65 children (0.009%) were diagnosed with mushroom poisoning out of a total of 689.000 patients who applied to the pediatric emergency department. The mean time to onset of symptoms after eating mushrooms was 5.2±10.3 hours, and symptoms started within the first 6 hours in 71% of the patients. Gastrointestinal complaints were predominant in the vast majority, and vomiting (78%) was the most common symptom. All of the patients were hospitalized. The mean follow-up period in the hospital was 3±1.5 days. The younger age of the patient, the detection of pathological findings in the physical examination at admission, and the administration of specific hepatoprotective and antidote treatments were associated with a longer hospital stay (p<0.05). Approximately 1/3 of the patients were followed under pediatric intensive care conditions, and no patient died. However, only one child (2%) whose symptoms started late and who applied to medical help late required referral to an organ transplant center because of progressive irreversible liver failure. CONCLUSIONS: Although mushroom poisoning in children mostly shows a good clinical course with gastrointestinal system symptoms, a careful approach is required in terms of severe clinical picture that may result in liver failure, especially in patients with late onset and late presentation.

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