Acute cyanide intoxication due to apricot seed ingestion.

Introduction

Cyanide poisoning, whether it be accidental or intentional, remains a significant danger to adults and children, especially in societies where agriculture is a primary source of income. We examined the clinical follow-up, complications, and results of cyanide poisoning cases that occurred after eating the pits and seeds of plants containing cyanide glycosides, such as apricot kernels and almonds.

Methods

Between 01/01/2017 and 01/08/2022, 14 children aged 1-18 years who were followed up with a prediagnosis of cyanide poisoning in our Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) were retrospectively analysed.

Results

Eight of the patients followed with a preliminary diagnosis of cyanide poisoning were female and six were male. The most common admission month was July (42.8%) coinciding with the agricultural season. The most common symptoms at presentation were weakness and fatigue (n = 7). In the PICU, 4 patients presented lip cyanosis; 3, altered level of consciousness. Vomiting, seizure, headache, dizziness and palpitatons were less frequent. Four patients were treated with hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit®) as an antidote due to acidosis in their blood gases. All patients treated for cyanide poisoning were discharged.

Conclusions

Cyanide poisoning should be considered in paediatric patients with suspicious findings, sudden loss of consciousness, increased anion gap acidosis and lactic acidosis. The history of eating the seeds of plants such as apricot and almonds should be investigated.