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Antivenin administration for Centruroides scorpion sting: risks and benefits
1Department of Medical Toxicology, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
Annals of Emergency Medicine
|July 1, 1992
Summary
Centruroides scorpion stings can be life-threatening in young children. Antivenin administration rapidly resolved symptoms, but some patients experienced delayed serum sickness. The benefits of antivenin may outweigh risks in severe pediatric cases.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pediatric Envenomation
Background:
- Centruroides scorpion envenomation poses significant risks to young children.
- Clinical severity and treatment efficacy require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess envenomation severity in children under 10.
- Evaluate antivenin benefits: symptom resolution, hospitalization, and invasive intervention prevention.
- Determine hypersensitivity reaction risks.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review with follow-up.
- Study population: children under 10 with severe Centruroides envenomation.
- Intervention: goat serum-derived anti-Centruroides antivenin.
Main Results:
- Envenomation can cause life-threatening neuromuscular and respiratory distress.
- Antivenin led to rapid symptom resolution in 12 treated patients.
- 58% of treated patients developed delayed rash or serum sickness.
Conclusions:
- Rapid symptom resolution and potential outpatient management justify antivenin risks in severe pediatric cases.
- Antivenin may pose unjustified risks for less severe envenomations in older individuals.
- Risk-benefit analysis is crucial for antivenin use in pediatric scorpion envenomation.