Related Experiment Videos
[The Amanita phalloides syndrome. Case of a 2-year-old girl]
N Pertile1, E Galliani, A Vergerio
1Divisione di Pediatria, Ospedale Civile Feltre (Belluno), Italia.
Insights
A 2-year-old child survived severe poisoning from ingesting the deadly Amanita phalloides mushroom. Early decontamination is crucial for treating amatoxin poisoning, even with suspected mushroom ingestion.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Mycology
Background:
- Amanita phalloides (death cap) mushrooms contain potent amatoxins causing severe liver damage.
- Pediatric poisoning cases are critical due to children's lower body mass and developing organs.
- Early recognition and intervention are vital for managing amatoxin toxicity.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old female child presented with gastrointestinal symptoms, progressing to acute liver failure.
- Clinical signs included elevated transaminases, decreased clotting factors, and increased serum ammonia.
- Diagnosis was confirmed by detecting amatoxin metabolites in urine 18 hours post-ingestion.
Findings:
- The child experienced severe gastrointestinal distress and subsequent hepatic failure.
- Laboratory results indicated significant liver injury and impaired synthetic function.
- Urine analysis confirmed amatoxin exposure, implicating Amanita phalloides ingestion.
Implications:
- Immediate decontamination is essential in suspected amatoxin poisoning cases.
- Prompt medical management, including supportive care and potential antidotes, can lead to positive outcomes.
- This case highlights the importance of rapid diagnosis and intervention in pediatric mushroom poisoning.
Abstract:
It has been described an Amanita phalloides poisoning in a female child of 2 years old with positive outcome. The child was admitted in hospital because of gastroenteric symptoms followed by hepatic failure (transaminases very high, decreased of clotting factors of hepatic origin and increased of ammonia serum values). The medical history was evident for ingestion of suspected mushroom 18 hours before the admission; the presence of amatoxin metabolites was revealed after in the urine. The clinical course of the intoxication, the treatment used, the medical management reported in literature have been outlined. In conclusion it is important to begin with an immediate decontamination even if the poisoning is only suspected.