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Centipede ingestion by a six-month-old infant: toxic side effects
1Department of Ambulatory Pediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Ingesting a centipede can cause systemic side effects in infants, even without a bite. This case shows that some centipede ingestions may resolve without medical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Arthropod-borne diseases
- Pediatric medicine
Background:
- Centipede bites typically cause localized reactions.
- Ingestion of centipedes is an unreported phenomenon.
- Household arthropods pose potential health risks to children.
Observation:
- A six-month-old infant ingested a Scutigera morpha centipede.
- The infant experienced systemic side effects.
- Symptoms were likely due to venom absorption.
Findings:
- Systemic toxicity can occur following centipede ingestion.
- The infant recovered spontaneously within 48 hours.
- No active medical intervention was required.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for toxic effects from ingested arthropods.
- Certain centipede ingestions may not require active treatment.
- Further research into arthropod venom absorption via ingestion is warranted.
Abstract:
Centipedes are a common household arthropod whose bite usually causes only local reactions. Ingestion of centipedes has not been previously reported. This article reports the case of a six-month-old infant who ingested a centipede of the Scutigera morpha species and had systemic side effects probably due to systemic absorption of its venom. The child recovered spontaneously after 48 hours. This case illustrates that toxic effects may be noted after ingestion of arthropods and that in this type of centipede no active intervention may be necessary.