5-Year analysis of mushroom exposures in California.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate outcomes following toxic mushroom ingestions.


METHODS
Retrospective data analysis.


METHODS
We analyzed American Association of Poison Control Center data for California from 1993 through 1997.


RESULTS
A total of 6,317 exposures occurred during the study period. Most (n = 6,229 [99.7%]) were acute exposures, and the rest (0.3%) were chronic; 87.6% (n = 5,536) were unintentional. Most (n = 4,235 [67.0%]) were in children younger than 6 years, and of these, only 6.0% experienced any clinical effects. The most common symptoms in patients aged 6 years and older were vomiting in 588 patients (28.2%), nausea in 307 patients (14.7%), diarrhea in 263 patients (12.6%), and abdominal pain in 221 patients (10.6%). No effects were seen in 3,131 (49.6% of all patients). Major effects were seen in only 17 patients (0.3%). Only 61 patients (1.0%) were admitted to a critical care unit. Death occurred in a 32-year-old adult who ate foraged mushrooms. Of all patients, 1,375 (21.8%) received no therapy or were observed only.


CONCLUSIONS
Most mushroom exposures were acute and unintentional and occurred in children younger than 6 years. Major toxic reactions or death was uncommon.
Nordt
S P
SP
University College, Dublin School of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland. sean.nordt@excite.com
Manoguerra
A
A
Clark
R F
RF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000545:Amanita; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D009145:Mushroom Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies