[Adder bites in Norway--occurrence and treatment].
BACKGROUND
Adder bites rarely cause severe reactions and when they occur there are specific antivenoms with few side effects that may be used in addition to supportive therapy. The antivenom is manufactured from sheep and consists of Fab fragments.


METHODS
Between 1998 and 2002 there were 245 registered calls regarding adder bites to the Norwegian National Poisons Information Centre. We present three patients with adder bites treated with antivenom.


CONCLUSIONS
The National Poisons Information Centre had 245 inquiries about adder bites over a five-year period. In 12% of cases the risk of intoxication was considered to be non-existent. Risk of or established mild to moderate reactions were found in 67%; 13% were considered to be in danger of severe reactions; the remaining 8% were unclassified. In severe adder bites, antivenom therapy has documented effect.
Aakvik
Rune
R
Akuttmedisinsk avdeling, Medisinsk divisjon, Ullevål universitetssykehus, 0407 Oslo. rune.aakvik@ulleval.no
Refstad
Sverre
S
Ringstad
Lise G
LG
Jacobsen
Dag
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects; D017819:Viperidae
D000997:Antivenins; D014757:Viper Venoms