title: Retrospective prevalence of snakebites from Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) (1999-2003).
abstract: A hospital based retrospective study of the prevalence of snakebite cases at Hospital Kuala Lumpur was carried out over a five-year period from 1999 to 2003. A total of 126 snakebite cases were recorded. The highest admission for snakebites was recorded in 2001 (29 cases). The majority of cases were admitted for three days or less (79%). Most of the snakebite cases were reported in the 11-30 years age group (52%). The male:female ratio was 3:1. The majority of cases were Malaysians (80%, 101 cases). Of the non-Malaysians, Indonesians constituted the most (56%, 14 cases). Bites occurred most commonly on the lower limbs (49%), followed by upper limbs (45%) and on other parts of the body (6%). No fatal cases were detected and complications were scarce. In 60% (70 cases) the snake could not be identified. Of the four species of snakes that were identified, cobra (both suspected and confirmed) constituted the largest group (25%), followed by viper (10%), python (4%) and sea snake (1%). The most common clinical presentations were pain and swelling, 92% (116 cases). All patients were put on snakebite charts and their vital signs were monitored. Of the snakebite cases, 48% (61 cases) were treated with cloxacillin and 25% (32 cases) were given polyvalent snake antivenom.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. jamaiah@ummc.edu.my
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jamaiah
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rohela
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: K B H
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Ch'ng
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Teh
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Nurulhuda
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suhaili
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003023:Cloxacillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000997:Antivenins; D003023:Cloxacillin