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Severe derangement of the coagulation profile following multiple bee stings in a 2-year-old boy
P G Kini1, M Baliga, N Bhaskaranand
1Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India.
Insights
Multiple honey bee stings can cause severe systemic complications in children, including abnormal coagulation and elevated liver enzymes. Prompt pediatric intensive care is crucial for full recovery from such rare, severe envenomations.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pediatric Intensive Care
- Envenomation
Background:
- Systemic complications from insect bites occasionally necessitate pediatric intensive care admission.
- Honey bee stings are a common cause of envenomation, but severe systemic effects are rare.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old boy experienced over 200 honey bee stings.
- The child presented with a severely deranged coagulation profile.
- Marked elevation of hepatic enzymes was noted in the patient.
Findings:
- This case represents a previously unreported complication of multiple bee stings.
- The patient exhibited significant coagulopathy and hepatotoxicity post-envenomation.
- Severe systemic effects following mass honey bee envenomation in a pediatric patient.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for severe systemic toxicity from mass honey bee envenomation in children.
- Underscores the importance of intensive supportive care in managing pediatric envenomation.
- Suggests the need for further research into the mechanisms of bee sting-induced coagulopathy and hepatotoxicity.
Abstract:
Occasionally, insect bites producing systemic complications are the reason for admission to paediatric intensive care. We report an interesting case of multiple bee stings in a 2-year-old boy. The boy, who was stung more than 200 times by honey bees, had a severely deranged coagulation profile with marked elevation of the hepatic enzymes. This complication has not been reported to date. Prompt intensive supportive care led to the child's total recovery.