Undercooked bitter yam poison- ing in three siblings and the public health implications

Authors

  • Peter N Omefe Department of Paediatrics
  • Wasiu A Ajetunmobi Department of Paediatrics
  • Clifford E Onyema Department of Paediatrics
  • Olatunji E Atoyebi Department of Paediatrics

Abstract

Abstract: Bitter yam is eaten by the three major tribes in Nigeria, often as a special delicacy. The Ekiti people of Western Nigeria even consume it as a staple diet. It is also used by the locals for medicinal purposes. This tuber crop can however be toxic if consumed in the unprocessed state. Patients with bitter yam toxicity can present with neurologic manifestations such as convulsions and coma; digestive system problems such as vomiting; or allergic reactions such as itching. We present the cases of three siblings with bitter yam toxicity brought to our facility with age and dose related symptoms after ingestion of undercooked bitter yam.

Keywords: Bitter yam, undercooked, poisoning, siblings, convulsion

Author Biographies

  • Peter N Omefe, Department of Paediatrics
    Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido - Ekiti, Ekiti State
  • Wasiu A Ajetunmobi, Department of Paediatrics
    Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido -Ekiti, Ekiti State
  • Clifford E Onyema, Department of Paediatrics
    College of Medicine and Health Sciences Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State
  • Olatunji E Atoyebi, Department of Paediatrics
    Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido -Ekiti, Ekit i State.

Published

2021-08-02

Issue

Vol. 48 No. 2 (2021): Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics

Section

CASE REPORTS

License

This is an open-access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, transform, and build upon the work even, commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given to the author, and the new creations are licensed under identical terms

How to Cite

Undercooked bitter yam poison- ing in three siblings and the public health implications. (2021). NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS, 48(2), 93 – 95. https://www.njpaediatrics.com/index.php/njp/article/view/33