Management of snake bite during third trimester of pregnancy with coagulopathy and delivery of a live baby in resource-limited setting in Nepal: a case report

Abstract

ABSTRACT We reported a case of snakebite in an 18-year-old woman, Gravida 2 Para 1+0 in the third trimester of pregnancy who presented with pain and swelling over the left hand and forearm and vaginal spotting. The laboratory investigations revealed coagulopathy attributed to green pit viper envenomation. On the fourth day of admission, the patient developed sudden abdominal pain and massive per vaginal bleeding with haemorrhagic shock, most likely abruptio placentae. In Nepal, no anti-snake venom has been developed for green pit-viper. So, she was managed conservatively, including blood transfusion, and delivered a single live female baby without any foetal complications. The patient was discharged along with the baby after 8 days of hospitalization. This case demonstrated that vigilant observation and appropriate resuscitation with fluids and blood products could save mother and baby in pit viper envenomation cases in settings where specific anti-snake venom is unavailable.