Children and Snakebite: Snake Venom Effects on Adult and Paediatric Plasma

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Hematology
• Herpetology

Background:

• Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease, primarily causing coagulation disturbances.
• Age-related variations in human plasma are known, but their impact on snakebite pathology is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-related differences in human plasma susceptibility to snake venom coagulotoxicity.
• To compare the in vivo clotting effects of diverse snake venoms on adult versus pediatric plasma.

Main Methods:

• Tested venoms from 15 medically significant snake species globally.
• Assessed venom coagulotoxicity by measuring clotting time in adult (18+) and pediatric (median 3.3 years) human plasma.
• Compared venom effects to spontaneous plasma clotting times.

Main Results:

• Russell's Viper (procoagulant) venom showed significantly higher potency in pediatric plasma.
• Mulga Snake and Many-horned Adder (anticoagulant) venoms were significantly more potent in adult plasma.
• Other procoagulant and all pseudo-procoagulant venoms exhibited similar potency across both age groups.

Conclusions:

• Preliminary findings highlight age-dependent variations in plasma response to snake venoms.
• Results may guide future research on snakebite pathophysiology in different age demographics.
• Understanding these differences could help reduce the global burden of snakebite envenoming.