Severe systemic reaction to Loxosceles reclusa spider bites in a pediatric population

To report 6 children who had severe systemic reaction after spider bites requiring pediatric intensive care unit admission and to describe their clinical presentation, hospital course, and outcome.

A retrospective analysis was done to identify patients presenting with brown recluse spider bites. Charts of children admitted to the intensive care unit were reviewed.

Six previously healthy African-American children, aged 3 to 15 years, with brown recluse spider bites were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. All had fever, jaundice, and evidence of hemolytic anemia. Four of 6 children had hypotension. One child developed mental status changes, acute renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis, and hyperkalemia and required emergent hemodialysis. All children fully recovered.

Although most cases of brown recluse spider bites are benign requiring no intervention, severe systemic reactions may occur in the pediatric population resulting in admission to the pediatric intensive care unit. These systemic reactions may include hemolytic anemia, hypotension, and renal failure.