Citation

Kajiyama Y, Fujii K, Takeuchi H, Manabe Y. Pediatrics 2002; 109(2): 325-327.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatrics Kyoto Min-i-ren Central Hospital Kyoto, Japan. yo-f@dab.hi-ho.ne.jp

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, American Academy of Pediatrics)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11826216

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.