Clinical profile of snake bite envenomation in children
Background: Snake bite is a common medical emergency seen mainly in rural areas in tropical and subtropical countries. This descriptive observational study aimed to examine the epidemiological and clinical features of snake bite envenomation in a state of southern India. Methods: We studied 41 cases...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2013-01-01
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| Series: | Current Medicine Research and Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.cmrpjournal.org/article.asp?issn=2352-0817;year=2013;volume=3;issue=3;spage=124;epage=127;aulast=Gupta |
| Summary: | Background: Snake bite is a common medical emergency seen mainly in rural areas in tropical and subtropical countries. This descriptive observational study aimed to examine the epidemiological and clinical features of snake bite envenomation in a state of southern India. Methods: We studied 41 cases of snake bite among children admitted to a tertiary care hospital from January 2005 to June 2010. Results: The majority (46.3%) of snake bite victims were in the age group of 5–10 years. The incidence was 2.4 times more in boys than in girls. Thirty-two (78%) children were bitten on the lower extremities during the evening time by poisonous snakes. Common presenting features were swelling (95.1 %) and pain (87.8%) at the site of bite, altered sensorium (41.4%), ptosis (39%) and vomiting (36.5%). A few children had tissue necrosis (26.8%) and bleeding (29.2%) at the site of bite. Seven (17.1%) children reached the healthcare unit within 2 hours of being bitten and 22 reached within 2–6 hours. Most of the snake bites occurred during the months of March–June (58.4%). The most common poisonous snake was the viper. The coagulation time was prolonged in 35 (85.3%) cases. Polyvalent antisnake venom (ASV) was administered in 39 cases. Hypersensitivity to ASV was noted in 19 cases. The overall mortality rate was 1. Conclusion: Morbidity and mortality following snake bite can be reduced by ensuring good medical care and providing health education. |
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| ISSN: | 2352-0817 2352-0825 |