Title: Clinical Profile and Outcomes of Scorpion Sting Envenomation Cases in a Tertiary Care Centre in Northern India

Authors: Saxena Piyush, Pathak Yashaswi

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i6.148

Abstract

Introduction: scorpion sting is an acute emergency condition commonly occurring in tropical countries like India. This study was conducted to study the pattern of presentation and outcome in scorpion sting envenomation cases in a tertiary care centre in Northern India.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 52 cases admitted to a tertiary care centre between January 2017 and June 2018. Relevant history and physical examination was conducted on all the cases and the outcome was noted.

Results: Of the 52 cases, 32 (61.54%) were under 12 years of age and 34 of 52 cases (65.4%) were male. The most common clinical presentation was local pain (88.46%), dyspnea and tingling at site of sting. Acute Pulomary edema was found in 34.62% and hypotension in 11.5% of cases. Seizures occurred only in 2 of the 52 cases. 4 of the 52 cases died during hospital stay, all had acute pulmonary edema and shock and 3 of these 4 cases had presented to the hospital 6 hours after the sting.

Conclusion: Scorpion sting is an acute life-threatening emergency with age, acute pulomary edema, shock, seizures and time to presentation being major contributors to mortality.

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Corresponding Author

Saxena Piyush

Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Motilal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad