Undercooked bitter yam poisoning in three siblings and the public health implications: A case report

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.