SNAKEBITE POISONING IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Snakebite Poisoning is a common paediatric emergency especially during the monsoon
season in the terai and inner terai regions of Nepal. There is hardly any study conducted
so far in Nepal to highlight different aspects of snakebite poisoning in children. This
retrospective study was therefore conducted basically to find out the clinicoepidemiological
features, case fatality rate and risk factors for death in children
admitted in Lumbini Zonal Hospital (LZH) with features of snakebite poisoning.
The study showed the highest incidence of snakebite poisoning among children aged
above 10 years. The peak incidence of poisoning was seen during July-August. These
months correspond with the monsoon season in Nepal. Most of the victims had bites
by unidentified snakes (75%), mostly on the fingers & hands (nearly 50%). Nearly
47% of the children had respiratory distress, and a large majority of them required
respiratory support therapy. Case fatality rate (CFR) was nearly 29%. The relative
risk factors for death due to snakebite poisoning were: age above 5 years, male sex,
bites on the finger & hand and bites by Kraits. Mortality and morbidity due to snakebite
can be reduced by early & judicious use of anti-snake venom (ASV).
Key Words: Snakebite, Poisoning, Children, Case fatality rate, Nepal