Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of scorpionism in children in Sanliurfa, Turkey

Abstract

The epidemiological and clinical findings of scorpion stings in Sanliurfa region of Turkey were evaluated in this investigation from May to September 2003, because of the high incidence of scorpionism cases during this season. Scorpion envenomation is an important health problem in all South-eastern Anatolia, specifically in Sanliurfa. The sting cases mostly occurred in the month of July (37.6%) when yearly temperature is the highest. Scorpion species causing the envenomation in children were not identified. More of the patients were adolescents (54.1%). Most of the stings were seen in exposed extremities (87.7%), mainly in the upper limbs (47.1%). One single village, Birecik, had the highest number of incidents (36.5%). Patients at the emergency units showed signs of local and systemic effects, but no lethality occurred. Local and autonomic nervous system effects were most frequently characterized by local pain, hyperemia, swelling, burning, hypotension, hypertension, dry mouth, thirst and sweating. We propose that public awareness and physician readiness combined with the availability of effective antivenom significantly reduced lethality in this region.