Snake bite envenomation: experience at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh

East Mediterr Health J. 2010 Apr;16(4):438-41.

Abstract

We surveyed the records of 21 of the 28 snakebite victims seen at King Fahad National Guard Hospital in Riyadh over the 20-year period 1986-2005. The most common symptoms were local pain and swelling and the most common signs oedema and tenderness. Neurotoxicity was not noted in any case. Coagulopathy was recorded for 14/21 patients (66.7%) and 5/19 (26.4%) had leukocytosis. All patients were given tetanus toxoid (100%) and 20 (95.2%) received antivenom. Blood products were administered in 2 cases and prophylactic antibiotics in 10 (47.6%). No allergic reaction to antivenom was reported.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antivenins / therapeutic use
  • Crotalus
  • Edema / etiology
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Urban*
  • Humans
  • Leukocytosis / etiology
  • Male
  • Pain / etiology
  • Patient Admission* / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Saudi Arabia / epidemiology
  • Seasons
  • Sex Distribution
  • Snake Bites / complications
  • Snake Bites / diagnosis
  • Snake Bites / epidemiology*
  • Snake Bites / therapy*
  • Viperidae

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antivenins