European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Scorpion sting envenomation is a medical emergency and can pose a life-threatening event in many tropical and subtropical countries all around the world especially in North Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and India, mainly in the rural areas. Scorpions are eight legged Arthropods, crab like arachnids,and are the most important venomous creatures after snakes belonging to order scorpionida and class Arachnida. Globally 1500 scorpion species belonging to 18 families have been described. Only 30 are considered dangerous to man, with 29 of them belonging to the family Buthidae.
Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the clinical, biochemical, and echocardiography profile of children less than 12 years with scorpion envenomation.
To determine the severity of envenomation by comparing clinical, biochemical and echo cardiography profile with treatment of scorpion envenomation in children less than 12 years.To evaluate the role of cardiac biomarkers and echocardiography in detecting myocarditis at the earliest.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Pediatric Intensive care unit, Villupuram Medical College (GVMCH). It is a collaborative effort of Department of Pediatrics and Department of Cardiology at GVMCH. Institute ethical committee (IEC) permission was obtained.
Conclusion: Scorpion envenomation is one of the important casualty in ER in any tertiary care centre. Myocardial involvement and its consequence are the important cause of mortality and morbidity.
Our study clearly highlights the burden of disease in the community and further we recommend Government agencies to create awareness among public about Myocardial dysfunction association following scorpion sting envenomation through their strong public Health network. This will sensitize public to immediately rush to hospitals without taking any traditional medicinal approach after scorpion bite.