8. The Study of Clinico- Epidemiological Profile and Outcome of Poisonous Snake Bites in Children
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Shahzadi Asma Tahseen |
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ABSTRACT |
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Objective: To study the poisonous snake bite cases with particular attention to demography, epidemiology, clinical profile and outcome in children.
Study Design: Observational / Descriptive / cross sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Pediatric Unit I, Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2013.
Methods and Materials: The record of 41 cases of poisonous snake bite admitting in Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur was reviewed. Detailed information was collected.
Results: Among 41 cases studied 85.37% were males. The majority of the cases (68.29%) were in the age group of 10-15 years. The majority of the cases (97.56%) were from rural area. The site of bite was on lower extremity in 82.93% cases. The timing of snake bite was evening or night in 87.8% cases. The 68.29% snake bites were in the months of monsoon season. The main type of envenomation encountered in this study was vasculotoxic. The common symptoms include local edema in 82.92%, pain in 75.61%, cellulitis in 63.41%, bleeding from bite site in 43.9% cases. The mean (±SD) antisnake venom vials used was 9.39 (±4.77). Abn rmal bleeding profile was noted in 58.54% cases. The mean (±SD) hospital stay was 6.27 (±1.75) days. The case fatality rate was 4.88%.
Conclusion: Anti snake venom should be a part of primary health care in areas where snake bites are common thereby referral to higher centers can be minimized and timely treatment can be given.
Key Words: Vasculotoxic; Case fatality rate; Snake antivenom; Neurotoxic; Snake envenomation
Citation of article: Tahseen SA. The Study of Cl n o-Ep demiological Profile and Outcome of Poisonous Snake Bites in Children. Med Forum 2016;27(4):28-32