This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-38831240

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Indian children died after 'eating lychees on empty stomach' Indian children died after 'eating lychees on empty stomach'
(about 1 hour later)
US and Indian scientists say a mystery illness that killed more than 100 children a year in northern India was caused by eating lychees on an empty stomach.US and Indian scientists say a mystery illness that killed more than 100 children a year in northern India was caused by eating lychees on an empty stomach.
For more than two decades, apparently healthy children in a region of Bihar suffered sudden seizures and lost consciousness.For more than two decades, apparently healthy children in a region of Bihar suffered sudden seizures and lost consciousness.
Almost half died, baffling doctors.Almost half died, baffling doctors.
New research, published in the medical journal The Lancet, now suggests they were poisoned by the fruit.New research, published in the medical journal The Lancet, now suggests they were poisoned by the fruit.
HypoglycinHypoglycin
Most of the victims were poor children in India's main lychee-producing region who ate fruit that had fallen on to the ground in orchards, the journal said.Most of the victims were poor children in India's main lychee-producing region who ate fruit that had fallen on to the ground in orchards, the journal said.
Lychees contain toxins that inhibit the body's ability to produce glucose, which affected young children whose blood sugar levels were already low because they were not eating dinner.Lychees contain toxins that inhibit the body's ability to produce glucose, which affected young children whose blood sugar levels were already low because they were not eating dinner.
They woke screaming in the night before suffering convulsions and losing consciousness as they suffered acute welling of the brain. They woke screaming in the night before suffering convulsions and losing consciousness as they suffered acute swelling of the brain.
Researchers examining sick children admitted to hospital in Muzaffarpur between May and July 2014 found a link to an outbreak of sickness that caused brain swelling and convulsions in children in the Caribbean.Researchers examining sick children admitted to hospital in Muzaffarpur between May and July 2014 found a link to an outbreak of sickness that caused brain swelling and convulsions in children in the Caribbean.
That outbreak was caused by the ackee fruit, which contained hypoglycin, a toxin that prevents the body from making glucose. Tests then showed that lychees also contained hypoglycin.That outbreak was caused by the ackee fruit, which contained hypoglycin, a toxin that prevents the body from making glucose. Tests then showed that lychees also contained hypoglycin.
This led health officials to tell parents to make sure young children got an evening meal and limit the number of lychees they were eating.This led health officials to tell parents to make sure young children got an evening meal and limit the number of lychees they were eating.
Children suffering symptoms associated with the outbreak should be rapidly treated for hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, officials said.Children suffering symptoms associated with the outbreak should be rapidly treated for hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, officials said.
The number of reported cases of the sickness has since fallen from hundreds each year to about 50, the New York Times reported.The number of reported cases of the sickness has since fallen from hundreds each year to about 50, the New York Times reported.