title: Snake bite poisoning in pregnancy. A review of the literature.
abstract: With our 2 cases, there are 30 reported cases in English of snake bite poisoning in pregnancy with some details presented and 20 cases without details, for a total of 50 cases. We reviewed the maternal and fetal outcomes in the 30 cases that had such information. Poisoning by members of the Crotalidae family (rattlesnakes, cotton-mouths [water moccasins] and copperheads) during pregnancy carries with it a fetal wastage rate of 43% and a maternal mortality rate of 10%. Pit viper bites cause a bleeding diathesis from the fact that the venom of these snakes contains a procoagulant that defibrinates the blood and leads to bleeding throughout the body.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Dunnihoo
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Rush
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Wise
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: W N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Otterson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins