A study of snake bite among children presenting to a paediatric ward in the main Teaching Hospital of North Central province of Sri Lanka.

Roshini Kilanthi Karunanayake,Dissanayake Mohottalage Randima Dissanayake,Aranjan Lionel Karunanayake

doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-482

Abstract

BackgroundSnake bite is a common problem in the North Central province of Sri Lanka. Common krait (Bungarus careuleus), Ceylon krait (Bungarus ceylonicus), Cobra (Naja naja), Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii), Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) and Hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale) are the six species of venomous land snakes in Sri Lanka. A significant number of adults and children are bitten by snakes every year. However, the majority of research studies done in Sri Lanka and other countries show adults bitten by snakes and studies describing children bitten by snakes are very sparse.MethodsA descriptive cross sectional study was performed in the Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka from May 2010 to 2011 May to describe the characteristics associated with cases of snake bite.ResultsThere were 24 males and 20 females. The highest numbers of bites (48%) were in the range of ages 6-12 years. The majority of the bites occurred between 6 pm to 6 am (59%).The foot was the most common bitten site (48%). Out of all the venomous bites, the Hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale) accounted for the highest number (44%) and Russell’s viper (Daboia ruselii) accounted for the second highest number (27%). A significant number of venomous bites occurred indoors while sleeping (22%). Antivenom serum was given to (39%) of venomous bites. Deaths occurred in (11%) of the venomous bites.ConclusionsHump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale) accounted for the highest number of venomous bites. Majority of the bites occurred between 6 pm and 6 am. Foot was the most common bitten site. A significant number of venomous bites occurred indoor while sleeping. Antivenom serum was given to a significant number of venomous bites. Educating the public on making their houses snake proof and using a torch when going out during night time will help in the prevention of getting bitten by snakes.

Highlights

Snake bite is a common problem in the North Central province of Sri Lanka
A descriptive cross sectional study was done at the main Teaching Hospital in Anuradhapura district to describe the characteristics of snake bite according to the locale site, time, activity at the time of bite, site of bite, species of snake that caused the bite, clinical features of snake bite victims, first aid provided at home, time taken to admit to the hospital, and the medical management at the hospital
In our study snake bite victims were children, and they were carried by their parents until they got into the vehicle and were transported to the hospital ward

Summary

Introduction

Snake bite is a common problem in the North Central province of Sri Lanka. A significant number of adults and children are bitten by snakes every year. Every year a large number of snake bite envenomations occur worldwide [1]. 5% of snake bite victims end in fatalities [2]. The highest number of snake bites is recorded from Asia, Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa [3]. A study done in Kangar district Malaysia shows that prevalence of snake bites among 0-9 yrs (7%), 10-19 yrs (33%), 20-29 yrs (17%), 30-39 yrs (14%), 40-49 yrs (6%), 50-59 yrs (11%), 60-69 yrs (8%) and more than 70 yrs were 5% [9]

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion