Abstract
Introduction: Snakebite is a major public health problem throughout the world, more so in tropical and subtropical countries. In India, there are 216 species of snakes, of which only four are venomous snakes (Cobra, Krait, Russell’s Viper and Saw Scaled Viper). Poorly informed rural populations often apply inappropriate first-aid measures and vital time is lost before the victim is transported to a treatment center, where cost of treatment can constitute an additional hurdle.
Materials & Methods: This descriptive observational study was carried out from January 2017 to December 2017, at Department of Medicine in Maharana Bhupal Government Hospital, R.N.T. Medical College, Udaipur, a tertiary care hospital serving population of Southern Rajasthan.
Result: A total of 100 patients with a history of snake bite and signs of envenomation were included in this study. 38(38%) had viper bites, 33(33%) were unidentified and 29(29%) had krait bites. Maximum incidence were in farmers (73%) and in rural areas (82%). Commonest vasculotoxic manifestation was local bleeding (71.42%). Commonest neurotoxic manifestation was ptosis (100%)The mean dose of ASV vials required for vasculotoxic snakebites was more (32.62vials) and for neuroparalytic snakebite was less (10.00 vials). One patient died because of respiratory paralysis, due to delayed presentation in hospital.
Conclusion: Snake bites are common in rural areas affecting mainly agricultural workers, in rainy season and the most common site is lower limbs. Most poisonous snake bites are due to hematotoxic bites in this region. From this study, it is inferred that delay in presentation following snake bite has an overall negative effect on the outcome and there is no substitute for early and effective treatment with ASV. Population awareness programs regarding prevention, first-aid and the importance of the early transfers to be emphasized.
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Corresponding Author
Dr Raviraj Singh Ahada
Post-Graduate Resident, Department of Medicine RNT Medical College Udaipur, India
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i5.145
