Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 1, 2026
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Endocrinological and biochemical changes of scorpionism in children in Upper Egypt
Ahmed E Ahmed1, Khaled A Abdel-Baseer1, Khaled Saad2
1Department of Pediatrics, Qena Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Egypt.
Insights
Scorpion envenomation in children causes significant endocrinological and biochemical changes, particularly in severe cases. These changes, including elevated nitric oxide (NO) and cortisol, highlight the need for prompt medical intervention and potential insulin therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Scorpionism, a significant health concern in Upper Egypt, presents with diverse clinical manifestations.
- Understanding the endocrinological and biochemical alterations is crucial for managing pediatric scorpion envenomation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate endocrinological and biochemical changes in children with scorpionism.
- To correlate these changes with the severity of envenomation.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 42 envenomated children and 20 healthy controls in Upper Egypt.
- Measurement of noradrenaline, aldosterone, insulin, cortisol, nitric oxide (NO), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), Na+, and K+ levels.
Main Results:
- Elevated Na+, NO, and CPK levels, with reduced K+ in envenomated children.
- Severe envenomation linked to higher noradrenaline, cortisol, and aldosterone, and lower insulin levels.
- Hyperglycemia observed in all patients, more pronounced in severe cases.
Conclusions:
- Scorpion envenomation induces common endocrinological changes, more pronounced in severe cases.
- Released mediators may contribute to systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ failure.
- Insulin therapy is recommended for severe envenomation to improve patient outcomes.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to determine some endocrinological and biochemical changes of scorpionism in children in Upper Egypt. In addition, it aimed to find any possible relationship between these changes and the severity of scorpionism.
Patients And Methods:
The present study was carried out at two university hospitals in Upper Egypt and included 42 children with envenomation and 20 apparently healthy children as controls. In all subjects, levels were measured of noradrenaline, aldosterone, insulin and cortisol, and some biochemical parameters and electrolytes including nitric oxide (NO), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), Na+ and K+.
Results:
Na+, NO and CPK levels were significantly higher in children with envenomation compared with the controls. Also, there was a significant reduction in K+ in patients compared with controls. Children with severe envenomation had significantly higher levels of noradrenaline, cortisol and aldosterone compared with the controls and mild cases. However, insulin levels were significantly decreased in severe cases of scorpionism compared with mild ones. Moreover, hyperglycemia was detected in all patients with envenomation compared with controls, with significantly higher blood glucose levels among children with severe envenomation compared with mild cases.
Conclusion:
Endocrinological changes were common in all children with scorpion envenomation and more obvious in cases of severe envenomation. The released mediators may account for several inflammatory manifestations such as pulmonary edema, myocardial failure, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ failure. The use of insulin is recommended in cases of severe envenomation to improve the outcome.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
01:27Adrenal Gland Disorders
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...
01:41Spermatogenesis
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption