Demographic & Clinical characteristics with outcomes of snake bite in a tertiary hospital

Abstract

Background: One of the common medical emergencies is Snake-bite. Many patients die every year due to snakebite. However, the demographic feature, clinical manifestations, mortality and morbidity from snake-bite in our country has not been well studied. This study analyses demographic feature, clinical manifestations and outcomes of the snake bite poisoning in patients admitted to a medical college hospital. Aims & Objectives: To determine the demographic features, clinical manifestations and outcomes of the snake bite poisoning. Materials and Methods: This is an observational study done in the department of Medicine,
Khulna Medical College Hospital from 1st July 2017 to 30th June 2018. Patients aged 13 years and above admitted with the suspicion of snake bite during the period were selected. Results: Out of 114 admitted snakebite patient most of the patients 50 (43.85%) are of younger age groups (13-40 years). Most bites occurred in rural area 108 (94.73%) and 74 (64.91%%) occurred between the months of July to September. Most cases 70 (61.40%) are non-venomous snake bites; krait was the main culprit for all venomous 44 (38.59%) cases showing neurotoxic features. Foot was the most common (42.10%) site of bite. ptosis (38.59%) and broken neck sign (17.54%) were the two most common clinical features. All venomous cases received 10-20 vials of anti-venom. 31.81% (14) of venomous patients developed respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation; of them 6 (13%) died. Conclusions: Snakebite is one of common emergency that endangers life in the study area. Treatment by Ohzas is very common and this causes Delay in hospitalization resulting in respiratory failure and increases mortality.