Clinico-epidemiological profile of snake bite in children - A descriptive study

Abstract

Background: Snakebite is one of the important causes of occupational hazard in our country. The state of Bihar has the third largest number of snakebite deaths in India. Objective: Our aim was to study the clinical profile, seasonal pattern, complications and outcome in patients of snake bite in pediatric age group. Materials and Methods: This was a record-based retrospective study conducted at Sri Krishna Medical College, Muzaffarpur. Data were collected for patients admitted between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016. Patients were included if they had a history of snakebite or unknown bites. Results: There were 51 males (60%) and 34 females (40%) out of 85 patients studied. Among them, 50 patients had krait bite, 25 patients had Cobra bite, 2 patients had viper bite, and in 8 patients snake was not identified. Majority of the snake bites were in the lower limbs (80.0%). The highest number of cases occurred during June-October month (42%). Mortality in our study was 6%. The most common symptom detected was pain abdomen (80%), ptosis/ophthalmoplegia (82.35%), altered sensorium (29.41%), and respiratory difficulty (35.29%). Conclusions: Common krait (Bungarus caeruleus) accounted for the highest number of venomous bites. Lower limb was the most common bitten site. Victims were from a rural background, and most of them were bitten indoors and during the night time. Identification, timely diagnosis and early administration of anti-snake venom will certainly aid to curb mortality in snake bite.