Risk factors for high-grade envenomations after French viper bites in children

Isabelle Claudet1, Céline Maréchal, Emmanuel Gurrera

  • 1Pediatric Emergency Department, Children Hospital, Toulouse, France. claudet.i@chu-toulouse.fr

Insights

Viper bites in children can lead to severe envenomations. Upper extremity bites, immediate severe pain, and female sex are risk factors for high-grade envenomation, requiring careful observation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Toxicology
  • Herpetology
  • Clinical Pediatrics

Background:

  • Viper bites are a significant concern in pediatric populations.
  • Children are more susceptible to severe envenomations following viper bites.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize clinical, biological, and therapeutic aspects of viper bites in French children.
  • To identify predictors of severe envenomation in pediatric cases.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of pediatric emergency department admissions from 2001-2009.
  • Data collected included demographics, accident circumstances, envenomation severity, and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

  • 58 children were analyzed; 17% experienced high-grade envenomations.
  • Risk factors for severe envenomation included upper extremity bites, afternoon bites, intense pain, and elevated initial glucose.
  • Multivariate analysis identified upper extremity location, immediate severe pain, and female sex as significant risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Specific criteria indicate an increased risk of severe envenomation.
  • Viper bites on upper extremities warrant close monitoring due to higher risk of severe outcomes.
Abstract

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