Snakebites in children in the densely populated city of Hong Kong: a 10-year survey.
OBJECTIVE
To review the pattern and characteristics of snakebites in children in rural Hong Kong.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was conducted.


RESULTS
Seven cases of snakebite in children were reported. Eighty-six percent of the victims were male, and the majority of bites (86%) occurred on the left extremities. Green pit vipers (Trimeresurus albolabris) accounted for most of the snakebites. Local symptomatology was common. Swelling, pain and fang marks were documented in all cases. A mildly deranged clotting profile was found in 70% of patients. There was no incidence of systemic symptoms, cardiopulmonary complications or compartment syndrome. Victims arrived at the hospital at a median (range) time of 40 (10-70) min since the snakebite. Only one child received antivenin owing to severe progressive local symptoms under intensive care monitoring. The median hospital stay of the patients was 4 d. The hands and feet of adolescent boys (n = 6) seem to be particularly prone to being bitten.


CONCLUSIONS
Children should be discouraged to play in areas where snakes may hide, especially in the evening in summer to autumn. They should wear protective footwear.
Hon
K L
KL
Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 6/F, Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong. b103892@cuhk.edu.hk
Kwok
L W
LW
Leung
T F
TF
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*