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Snakebites in children in the densely populated city of Hong Kong: a 10‐year survey
Author(s) -
Hon KL,
Kwok LW,
Leung TF
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2004.tb00719.x
Subject(s) - medicine , environmental health , pediatrics , family medicine , demography , sociology
Aim : To review the pattern and characteristics of snakebites in children in rural Hong Kong. Methods : A retrospective chart review was conducted. Results : Seven cases of snakebite in children were reported. Eighty‐six percent of the victims were male, and the majority of bites (86%) occurred on the left extremities. Green pit vipers ( Trimeresurus albolabris ) accounted for most of the snakebites. Local symptomatology was common. Swelling, pain and fang marks were documented in all cases. A mildly deranged clotting profile was found in 70% of patients. There was no incidence of systemic symptoms, cardiopulmonary complications or compartment syndrome. Victims arrived at the hospital at a median (range) time of 40 (10–70) min since the snakebite. Only one child received antivenin owing to severe progressive local symptoms under intensive care monitoring. The median hospital stay of the patients was 4 d. The hands and feet of adolescent boys ( n = 6) seem to be particularly prone to being bitten. Conclusion : Children should be discouraged to play in areas where snakes may hide, especially in the evening in summer to autumn. They should wear protective footwear.