Abstract
OBJECTIVE: According to WHO survey , about 5.4 million snake bites occur each year, resulting in 1.8 to 2.7 million cases of envenomings (poisoning from snake bites).There are between 81 410 and 137 880 deaths and around three times as many amputations and other permanent disabilities each year.Snake bite is a common medical emergency faced by the rural populations in tropical and subtropical countries. Although India is a single largest contributor of snake bite cases, reporting is very poor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is purely computerized data analysis of 192 cases of snakebite in a time period from January 2014 to December 2018.This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study was carried out at the Emergency Medicine Department/Casualty ,Sheth VS General and Sheth C.M. hospital , Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat,India. RESULTS: Majority (67.7%) victims were between 15-35 years. 73.95% victims were male. 72.9% victims of snake bite were from rural areas mainly farmers and laborers. 52.0% incidents took place at night time or early morning. 58% patients had bite mark on the lower limb. 62.5% victims had seen the snake. 36.5% were asymptomatic,52.1% had neuroparalytic, 2.1 % hemorrhagic and 9.3% had both manifestations. 14.6% cases received treatment within 1 h of the bite and 75% within 1-6 h after the bite. First aid given was in the form of application of tourniquet (18.75%), local application of lime, chillies, herbal medicine, etc., (8.33%). Only three patients died. CONCLUSION: In this region (Gujarat , western India), neuroparalytic manifestation of snake bite is more prevalent. Cobra and krait are the commonest types of poisonous snakes. The time of seeking treatment has reduced because of awareness about snake bite treatment and better transport and ambulance facilities. Mortality is very less in well-equipped hospitals due to early initiation of treatment with anti-snake venom.
Published Version
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