An epidemiological and clinical study of snake-bites in childhood.
The last decade has seen major changes in the first-aid management of elapid snake-bites and the introduction of a new venom-detection kit which can identify the genus of medically-important snakes. In the light of these developments, we report a 10-year study that comprised 218 consecutive children who were admitted to hospital in southeast Queensland, after a confirmed or a suspected snake-bite. One-third (34.9%) of victims were preschool children (zero to five years of age) but the highest "at-risk" group comprised prepubescent boys. In 70% of cases, the bite was on a single lower limb. Of the 218 children who were admitted to hospital, 42% manifested local or systemic symptoms that were consistent with a confirmed snake-bite, irrespective of whether or not the species of snake was venomous. A positive identification of the genus of the offending snake was established in 18.8% of cases. In 35.8% of cases, the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories' Venom Detection Kit was used in an attempt to identify the involved snake, with 10 (4.6% of all cases) positive test-results. We have found that appropriate first aid was applied in the field in a maximum of 18% of cases. Antivenom was administered to 14 children, seven of whom received polyvalent antivenom; one child manifested a severe anaphylactic reaction. There were no fatalities in this series, and no permanent morbidity.
Jamieson
R
R
Royal Children's Hospital, Herston.
Pearn
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000997:Antivenins / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011793:Queensland; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors
D000997:Antivenins; D004546:Elapid Venoms; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012910:Snake Venoms