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Vipera Snakebite in Children: A Focus on Europe

Greta Orlandi1, Nadia Rossi1, Francesco Chiarelli1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti, 66100 Chieti, Italy.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

European children experiencing snakebites need better management strategies. This review highlights clinical features and treatment of viper envenomation in children, emphasizing the need for validated pediatric tools.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Toxicology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Snakebite envenoming is a significant global health issue, with limited recent data on European pediatric cases.
  • Children are uniquely vulnerable to venom toxicity due to their lower body mass.
  • Current management guidelines for pediatric viper envenomation in Europe lack standardization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical characteristics of snake envenomation in European children.
  • To summarize current and emerging management strategies for pediatric viper bites.
  • To identify gaps in knowledge and highlight the need for validated pediatric clinical tools.

Main Methods:

  • This study is a narrative review of existing literature on pediatric snake envenomation in Europe.
  • It synthesizes information on epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment approaches.
  • Focuses on viper envenomation, the most common type in the region.

Main Results:

  • Viper envenomation in children primarily presents with local symptoms, but systemic hemotoxic and cytotoxic effects can occur.
  • Anti-viper serum immunotherapy is the primary treatment; the roles of antibiotics, steroids, and analgesics remain unclear.
  • New tools like VipGrade® exist but require further validation through larger studies.

Conclusions:

  • There is a critical need for updated epidemiological data and standardized management protocols for snakebites in European children.
  • Further research and validation of pediatric-specific clinical tools are essential for improving patient outcomes.
  • Enhanced understanding of viper envenomation in this vulnerable population is crucial.

Keywords:
antidoteantivenomchildrensnake envenomationviper bite

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