Snakebite Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Children

This case-control study assessed the inflammatory response and oxidative stress associated with snakebites in 116 children in comparison with 116 age-matched healthy controls. The median (Q1, Q3) levels of serum C-reactive protein [11.1 (4.2, 14.4) vs 2.6 (1.9, 3.3) mg/L, P < 0.001], interleukin-6 [84.8 (75.0, 95.0) vs 15.2 (12.2, 18.0) pg/mL, P < 0.001], and malondialdehyde [1.4 (1.1, 1.5) vs 1.0 (0.9, 1.1) nmol/mL, P < 0.001] were significantly higher in children with snakebites compared to the control group. Snakebite was associated with significant inflammation and oxidative stress in children.