[Hospital protocol for snakebite victims management]

Pedro Marques da Costa1, Rodrigo Sousa2, Maria Lobo Antunes2

  • 1Departamento de Pediatria. Hospital de Santa Maria. Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte. Lisboa. & Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal.

Insights

Venomous snakebites in children are rare but severe in Portugal. This study presents a new clinical management protocol for pediatric adder bites, improving patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Herpetology

Background:

  • Venomous snakebites pose a significant health risk, particularly in pediatric populations.
  • Portugal experiences rare but severe cases of venomous snakebites.
  • Established clinical management protocols are crucial for effective treatment worldwide.

Observation:

  • Two pediatric cases of venomous adder bites in Portugal were reported.
  • Pediatric victims exhibit greater severity and risk of fatal complications from snakebites.

Findings:

  • A comprehensive literature review on venomous snakebite management was conducted.
  • A multidisciplinary and updated treatment protocol for pediatric adder bites was developed.

Implications:

  • The proposed protocol aims to standardize and enhance the clinical management of pediatric venomous snakebites.
  • Implementing this protocol can lead to improved patient outcomes and reduced mortality in children.
  • This study contributes to the advancement of emergency medical practices for venomous snakebites in pediatric patients.

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