Clinical and epidemiological profile of snakebite cases – A study from an industrial teaching hospital at Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India

Abstract

Introduction: India accounts for approximately half of the worldwide snakebite deaths. It is often a neglected public health problem and particularly in Jharkhand region where medical facilities are limited. Epidemiological and clinical profile-related studies are scarce. The present study aims to assess the epidemiological profile and clinical features of snakebites encountered in a tertiary-care teaching hospital at Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India. Aims and Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical profile, outcome and epidemiological factors of snakebite cases, admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Jamshedpur. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective study from 2014 to 2021 wherein a total of 427 snakebite patients were admitted and had received treatment for snakebite at a tertiary-care teaching hospital at Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. All patients who reported with a history of snakebite were included in this study. The demographic and clinical details of each case were obtained and analysed. Result: A total of 427 snakebite cases were admitted to the hospital during the study period. The victims were predominantly males. Majority of the bite cases encountered were from rural areas and were in the second quarter of the year. The site of the bite was largely on the lower limb and the upper limb had fewer bites. The Glasgow Coma Scale was normal in those who presented early. Acute kidney injury, neutrophilic leucocytosis and deranged liver enzymes were associated with bad prognosis. Timely intervention with anti-snake venom offered good result. Conclusion: We had more male patients (69.55%), belonging to rural areas (67.91%), more bites in lower limbs and more cases in the second quarter of the year. Mortality rate was 0.7%.

Keywords

• anti snake venom (asv)
• clinical features
• epidemiology
• snakebite