Snakebite during pregnancy: a literature review.
OBJECTIVE
To review reported bites by venomous snakes in pregnant women.


METHODS
This is a review of Medline/PubMed articles on venomous snakebites occurring during pregnancy reported in the English literature from 1966 to May 2009.


RESULTS
Two hundred thirteen venomous snakebites were reported in pregnant women. The overall case-fatality rate in the pregnant females was approximately 4%, and the fetal loss rate was approximately 20%.


CONCLUSIONS
Although rare, venomous bites and stings during pregnancy may have a significant adverse effect on the fetus as well as the mother.
Langley
Ricky Lee
RL
Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Public Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh, NC 27699, USA. rick.langley@ncmail.net
D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D046689:Fetal Mortality; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000506:poisoning*
D000997:Antivenins; D012910:Snake Venoms