Endocrine dysfunctions may be sequelae of snake bite

Abstract

Background: At present snakebite has become a serious health problem in India. The actual incidence of mortality and morbidity related to the snakebite are not reported properly. Further, the most neglected part is the long term endocrine dysfunctions in survivors of snake bite.
 Aims and Objectives: To evaluate serum fT4, TSH, cortisol, prolactin, and testosterone levels in snake bite survivors after 3 and 6 months of snakebite.
 Materials and Methods: Forty-five survivors of russels viper bite patients were selected for the study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Admitted patients were treated accordingly and discharged in stable condition. The hormonal status were analysed and they have been followed up after 3 and 6 months.
 Results: Significant decrease in serum cortisol and prolactin were observed in survivors of russels viper bite patients particularly in them whose mean serum creatinine was more than 1.2 mg/dl and systolic blood pressure was <110 mm of Hg and diastolic Blood pressure was < 70 mm of Hg.
 Conclusion: Measurement of long term hormonal status like serum cortisol and prolactin can be beneficial in survivors of hematotoxic snake bite patients.

Rapid identification of bilateral adrenal and pituitary haemorrhages induced by Russell's viper envenomation results in positive patient outcome

“…The consumption of coagulation factors and/or direct action of snake venom metalloproteases on blood cell wall integrity is a possible pathogenic mechanism implicated in the reported disturbance of the functional vascular network. Other similar reports previously support the same mechanistic details as discussed here (Lakhotia et al, 2014;Kar et al, 2021).…”