Open AccessSNAKEBITE IN PREGNANCY: A PRELIMINARY STUDY
Author(s) -
Pedro Pereira de Oliveira Pardal,
T. Mazzeo,
Aysa César Pinheiro
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
the journal of venomous animals and toxins/the journal of venomous animals and toxins
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1678-4936
pISSN - 0104-7930
DOI - 10.1590/s0104-79301997000200004
Subject(s) - envenomation , medicine , pregnancy , obstetrics , vaginal bleeding , abortion , epidemiology , medical record , pediatrics , gynecology , surgery , ecology , genetics , venom , biology
Worldwide occurrence of envenomation by snakebite in pregnancy is rare according to the medical literature. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of snakebite envenomation cases as well as their obstetrical consequences. Thus, we conducted this study based on the medical records of 157 patients, aged from 13 to 54 years old who had been attended at the "João de Barros Barreto" University Hospital from January 1989 to May 1994. These patients presented epidemiological and clinical diagnosis of snakebite envenomation. Of the 157 patients, 8 (5%) were pregnant, 6 of them (75%) were in the first trimester of pregnancy and 2 (25%) in the 2nd trimester. Most of the victims were usually over 18 years old (7 cases, 87.5%). Concerning the severity of the envenomation cases, 5 of them were considered mild accidents. Obstetrical consequences occurred in 3 (37.5%) patients, 2 patients (25%) with moderate manifestations, while 1(12.5%) presented severe manifestations. Patients developed vaginal bleeding in 3 cases (100%), and uterine contraction, threatened abortion, decreased fetal movements, absence of fetal heartbeat and fetal death in one case (33.35%). Snakebite is not common among pregnant women, since in most cases, these women are homebound. However, the obstetrical consequences are severe and related to severity of the envenomation