Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 11, 2025
Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model of Neonatal Stroke in P10 Rats
Published on: April 21, 2017
Ischemic Stroke in a Child after a Probable Scorpion Sting
Laura Naranjo1, Fernando Carrillo-Villaseñor2, Gina D'Suze3
1Policlínica Metropolitana, Caracas, Venezuela.
Insights
Scorpion stings can cause severe illness, including pancreatitis and pulmonary edema, especially in children. This case highlights the rare risk of ischemic stroke following scorpion stings, even after antivenom treatment.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
Background:
- Scorpion stings are a significant public health issue, particularly in tropical regions.
- Delayed diagnosis due to non-specific symptoms can lead to severe complications.
- Children in rural and peri-urban areas are the most vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of a child with severe scorpion envenomation.
- To highlight the potential for delayed diagnosis and rare complications.
- To emphasize the importance of considering scorpion stings in undiagnosed critical illnesses.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 2-year-old boy with acute pancreatitis and pulmonary edema.
- Administration of species-specific antivenom therapy.
- Monitoring of clinical presentation, end-organ damage, and neurological outcomes.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with severe pancreatitis and pulmonary edema, later diagnosed as scorpion sting-related.
- Antivenom therapy led to initial improvement in pancreatitis, pulmonary edema, and coagulation.
- The patient subsequently developed an ischemic stroke, a rare complication, with partial neurological recovery.
Conclusions:
- Acute pancreatitis and pulmonary edema are recognized manifestations of Tityus scorpion stings.
- Ischemic stroke is a potential, albeit rare, neurological complication of scorpion envenomation.
- Early suspicion and treatment of scorpion stings are crucial for managing severe pediatric cases.
Abstract:
Scorpion stings are common emergencies in the tropics. Species-specific antivenom therapies are available. However, fatalities resulting from scorpion stings remain a public health concern in many settings. Children residing in rural towns and peri-urban areas represent the most vulnerable populations. Delays in the diagnosis of scorpion stings often occur as a result of the non-specific clinical presentations, which then lead to life-threatening complications. We report a 2-year-old Venezuelan boy presenting with acute pancreatitis and pulmonary edema without an identifiable cause 48 hours after his initial symptoms. We administered antivenom therapy when an undetected scorpion sting was suspected. Despite some initial clinical improvement with respect to his acute pancreatitis, pulmonary edema, and coagulation abnormalities, our patient experienced an ischemic stroke. Fortunately, our patient did demonstrate some neurological improvement. Although acute pancreatitis and pulmonary edema are known end-organ damage manifestations of the sting of Tityus in the Americas, our particular case illustrates the risk of ischemic stroke.
