A study of systemic involvement in snake bites

 

Mirza Hammad Ali Baig^1*, Mohd Asif Hussain²

 

Abstract              Background: Nervous system complications and systemic involvement in snake bite leads to high rate of morbidity and mortality, thus prompt recognition of neurotoxic features and appropriate treatment can reduce the morbidity and mortality in snake bite cases. Aim and objective: To study the systemic involvement in snake bite patients Methodology: This clinical, prospective study was conducted on all the patients coming with a history of snake bite attending “Al Ameen Medical College Hospital, Bijapur and District Hospital Bijapur” during the period from January 2013 to December 2013. Any patient brought to the Al Ameen medical college hospital and district hospital, Bijapur with a history of snake bite was observed for signs of envenomation. They were carefully observed till it was definite that there was no reaction or features of systemic poisoning. Results and discussion: 18(33.3%) patients had local manifestations only, 21(38.9%) patients had neuroparalytic features and 14(25.8%) patients had haemotoxic features and 1(1.8%) had both neuroparalytic and haemotoxic features. Overall mortality was 6(11.1%) out of 54 patients. Cause of death in 3 patients was respiratory failure and in 3 patients AKI.

Key Word: snake bites.