Centipede ingestion by a six-month-old infant: toxic side effects

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.