Issues in management of scorpion sting in children

All children admitted to Madina Maternity and Children's Hospital, Saudi Arabia, in 1989 because of scorpion stings (primarily Leiurus quinquestriatus) were studied. Of 96 children studied, 20 suffered either shock, pulmonary oedema or both. These 20 shared characteristic clinical features such as vomiting, priapism and failure to maintain normal temperature and/or blood pressure. The management protocol emphasized fluid restriction and the i.v. administration of venom antitoxin. Doubling the recommended dose did not improve the outcome. Two children died and the rest recovered.