Ginkgo seed poisoning

Pediatrics. 2002 Feb;109(2):325-7. doi: 10.1542/peds.109.2.325.

Abstract

A 2-year-old girl presented with vomiting and diarrhea 7 hours after eating a large quantity of ginkgo seeds. She exhibited an afebrile convulsion 9 hours after ingestion. The serum concentration of 4-metoxypyridoxine was as high as 360 ng/mL. Although reported cases of ginkgo seed poisoning usually involve children who exhibit repetitive seizures that can be fatal, prompt administration of pyridoxal phosphate (2 mg/kg) may have prevented additional seizures. This is the first English-language case report measuring 4-metoxypyridoxine concentration during ginkgo seed poisoning. Awareness of the potential danger of overconsumption of this traditional food and its prompt treatment with pyridoxal phosphate may hasten recovery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Foodborne Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Ginkgo biloba / chemistry
  • Ginkgo biloba / poisoning*
  • Humans
  • Pyridoxal Phosphate / therapeutic use*
  • Pyridoxine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Pyridoxine / poisoning
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Seeds / poisoning
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • 4-methoxymethylpyridoxine
  • Pyridoxal Phosphate
  • Pyridoxine