Hungary malnourished children with poor glycogen reserve in liver eat whatever they find in Lychee orchards leading to hypoglycemia triggered by MGPG in fruit followed by failure ofneoglucogenesis leading to fatty acid metabolism with production of by-products responsible for encephalopathic changes.Consumption of litchi fruit and skipping evening meal is the reason.
This is the cause of an unexplained illness in children aged 15 years and younger in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, which claimed many lives in May-June. [Lancet Global Health].
Public message: Minimising litchi consumption, eat evening meal throughout the outbreak period, rapidly correct low sugar levels.
