Predictors of Myocardial Dysfunction in Children with Indian Red Scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus) Sting Envenomation.
OBJECTIVE
To identify predictive risk factors for myocardial dysfunction in children with scorpion sting envenomation and to evaluate the effects of Scorpion antivenom and prazosin combination therapy on occurrence of myocardial dysfunction.


METHODS
Observational.


METHODS
Tertiary care hospital in Southern India.


METHODS
85 children aged <13 years with scorpion sting envenomation.


METHODS
Frequency of myocardial dysfunction; predictors of myocardial dysfunction.


RESULTS
24 children (28.2%) developed myocardial dysfunction. Hypotension at admission (P=0.003) and increased time (>4h) between sting and administration of appropriate therapy (P=0.001) were independent predictors of myocardial dysfunction on logistic regression. Scorpion antivenom plus prazosin combination therapy led to an increase in cumulative proportion of children without myocardial dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
Early (<4 hours) administration of Scorpion antivenom along with prazosin increases the cumulative percentage of children not developing myocardial dysfunction.
Departments of Pediatrics and *Biostatistics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India Correspondence to: Dr Subramanian Mahadevan, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, JIPMER, Pondicherry 605 006, India. mahadevan.subramanian80@gmail.com.
P M Ananda
PM
Kumar
Sriram
S
Krishnamurthy
Rangan
R
Srinivasaraghavan
Subramanian
S
Mahadevan
K T
KT
Harichandrakumar
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011224:Prazosin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D065008:Scorpion Stings / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000506:poisoning*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D000997:Antivenins; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D011224:Prazosin