Clinical characteristics and outcome of children stung by scorpion

Abstract

more than half of stung children had a severe clinical presentation and about one fifth died. Aggressive treatment regimens are recommended for such patients to improve the outcome.

Neurologic Complications in Children With Scorpionism: A Retrospective Study in Upper Egypt

“…In addition, they stated a more frequent occurrence of stings in rural areas. 2,7,10,14,20 Our study demonstrated that delayed medical assistance constituted a negative impact on envenomation prognosis; hence, children who arrived at the hospital more than 2 hours after the accident presented a greater risk of unfavorable evolution as hinted in our findings. Further, 68.6% of nonsurvivors take the antivenom after more than 2 hours.…”

“…Our results stand in line with other studies. 2,4,7,10,14,20 There are limitations to our study. The most important is that this was a retrospective chart review study, our data being limited to what was recorded on the patient records.…”

“…2 Scorpionism is a life-threatening emergency in children. 2,9 Children potentially are at a greater risk of organ damage and developing fatal conditions such as severe cardiac, respiratory, and neurologic complications after scorpionism. 9 In the present study, it was observed that neurologic manifestations were present at a high percentage (85%) ( Table 2).…”

“…There are approximately 1900 known scorpion species in the world, and only about 30 are recognized to be potentially dangerous for humans. 1 -3 Previous literature on scorpion taxonomy recognizes 16 scorpion families, and all scorpions hazardous to humans belong to the Buthidae family, but among this family, the species belonging to the genera Androctonus and Leiurus are considered the most significant to humans, causing a large number of envenomations in Africa and Middle East. 3 -6 “Leirus Quinquestriatus, known as the Egyptian scorpion, or ‘Death stalker,’ has been isolated from upper Egypt.” 3 Scorpion venom shows variability by subspecies and has a complex structure composed of neurotoxic proteins, salts, acidic proteins, and organic compounds, thereby having neurologic, cardiovascular, hematologic, and renal side effects, in addition to its local effects.…”

“…Systemic effects occur in a smaller proportion of scorpion stings depending on scorpion species involved. 1,2,4,5 Envenomation severity depends on the scorpion species, its size, the amount of venom inoculated, the victim’s body mass, and the patient’s sensitivity to poison. Additionally, climatic situations, heat and dryness, are also significant risk factors.…”