Snake bite-a neglected menace: A prospective observational study in a tertiary care pediatric ICU
Abstract
Snake envenomation is a well-known cause of morbidity and mortality in India. In 2009, WHO declared snake bite a neglected disease? The objective of my study was to study clinical profile, complications and outcome in pediatric cases of snake bite and to highlight the atypical presentations of snake bite. A prospective observational study was done in PICU of our Hospital from June 2017 to June 2019 and the results were:- 56.8% of 109 cases were non-poisonous snake-bites. Out of 47 cases admitted to PICU, 68.08% developed cellulitis at the site of bite with staphylococcus aureus being the commonest organism isolated (56.25%). Edema at site of bite (hematotoxic) and ptosis (neurotoxic) were most common initial presentation. 36.17% of patients received ASV and first aid within 6 hours of snake bite. The morbidity and mortality was significantly less (p<0.05) as compared to those who hadn’t received ASV. 12.76% of cases with normal CRT presented with features of coagulopathy
