Paediatric snakebite envenoming: the world’s most neglected ‘Neglected Tropical Disease’?

Abstract

Snakebite disproportionally affects children living in impoverished rural communities. The WHO has recently reinstated snakebites on its list of Neglected Tropical Diseases and launched a comprehensive Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming. In the first of a two paper series, we describe the epidemiology, socioeconomic impact and key prevention strategies. We also explore current challenges and priorities including the production and distribution of safe and effective antivenom.

Complex regional pain syndrome following southern Pacific rattlesnake (C. oreganus helleri) envenoming

“…8 , 14 To our knowledge, the current case is the first described in the Americas in a pediatric patient, a population often more vulnerable to the effects of snakebite envenoming. 16 , 17 …”

“…8,14 To our knowledge, the current case is the first described in the Americas in a pediatric patient, a population often more vulnerable to the effects of snakebite envenoming. 16,17 Snake venom components vary by species, and even intra-species variation has been observed. Myriad substances within venom lead to inflammation, peripheral sensitization, and local adrenergic receptor upregulation.…”

Network Pharmacological Study on the Mechanism of Cynanchum paniculatum (Xuchangqing) in the Treatment of Bungarus multicinctus Bites

“…Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease [ 1 ]. It is estimated that about 5 million people worldwide are bitten by snakes each year, of which 81,000 to 138,000 die, and many people have permanent physical and psychological sequelae [ 2 ]. Venomous snake bites are a constant threat to human health and life.…”

The Global Burden of Snake Bite Envenoming

“…Victims tend to be very poor and include children from remote rural areas. 3,4 In 2018, WHO recognised that snake bites were a high-risk health issue in South East Asian countries, with India reporting 2.8 million bites and 50,000 deaths, Pakistan 40,000 bites and 8,200 deaths, Nepal 20,000 bites and 1,000 deaths, Bangladesh 710,159 bites and 6,000 deaths, and Sri Lanka 33,000 bites and 4,000 deaths. 5 In some of these countries, and throughout most of Sub-Saharan Africa, snake bite victims usually attend a traditional healer because effective medical treatment is often unavailable or not affordable.…”