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