Affiliation:
1. Pediatric ICU, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center
2. Pediatric Toxicology, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer
Abstract
In Israel, Vipera palaestinae (V. palaestinae) is the most common venomous snake, accounting for 100 - 300 reported cases of envenomation every year. However, V. palaestinae snakebites in children have not been exten sively investigated. The demographic features, treatment and outcome of V. palaestinae envenomation in 37 children treated in two medical centers over a 9 year period were retrospectively reviewed. The victims age ranged from 2-18 years with a mean age of 8.9 years. Twenty-nine children were males and eight were females. Twenty-one patients resided in rural areas, and 16 children were living in urban areas. Twenty-three (63%) of the patients were bitten on the lower limb; Twelve (33%) on the upper limb, and two on the head or neck (4%). Using a grading scale of one to three from minimal to severe envenomation, 15 (40.5%), 15 (40.5%) and 7 (19%) patients had mild, moderate and severe envenomation, respec tively. Major complications of envenomation that were manifested after arrival consisted of compartment syn drome (two patients) and respiratory dysfunction (two patients). Specific monovalent antiserum for the treatment of V. palaestinae bite was given to 16 children (43%) of whom, four patients were in the severe group, seven and five in the moderate and mild groups respectively. No patient suffered a significant infection, tissue loss, permanent disability or death. We conclude that early ICU admission along with close monitoring and antivenom therapy is important in reducing morbidity and mortality in children systemically envenomed by V. palaestinae.
Subject
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis,Toxicology,General Medicine
Reference23 articles.
1. Winkler E. , Chovers M., Almog S. V. palaestinae bites-clinical experience in Israel. In: Recent Advances In Toxicology Research Vol I. P Gopalakrishnakone, Tan CK (eds). Published by the Venom and Toxin research group National University of Singapore VTRG, 1992: pp 329-336.
2. New Mexico Rattlesnake Bites
3. Conservative Treatment of Copperhead Snakebites without Antivenin
Cited by
23 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献