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Infective endocarditis and septic pulmonary embolism following scorpion sting envenoming in an 11-year-old child

Vellasamy Prakash, Sriram Krishnamurthy, Subramanian Mahadevan

    Paediatrics and International Child Health
    |November 9, 2013
    PubMed

    Insights

    A rare pediatric scorpion sting case led to heart failure and a fatal Staphylococcus aureus infection. This highlights a previously undocumented severe complication in children following scorpion envenoming.

    Area of Science:

    • Toxicology
    • Cardiology
    • Infectious Diseases

    Background:

    • Scorpion stings are a common pediatric toxicological issue in Southern India.
    • Envenomation can trigger autonomic storms, leading to circulatory and cardiac failure, and pulmonary edema.

    Observation:

    • An 11-year-old boy presented with local cellulitis, dyspnea, and congestive heart failure after a scorpion sting.
    • He developed persistent high-grade fever for over two weeks.

    Findings:

    • The patient experienced fatal Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis and septic pulmonary embolism.
    • This is the first reported case of infective endocarditis on a native valve in a child following a scorpion sting.

    Implications:

    • Scorpion stings in children may have severe, life-threatening infectious complications beyond typical cardiovascular effects.
    • Clinicians should consider infective endocarditis in pediatric patients with prolonged fever post-scorpion sting.
    • Further research into the mechanisms linking scorpion envenomation and secondary bacterial infections is warranted.

    Keywords:
    Infective endocarditis,Scorpion sting,Septic pulmonary embolism

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