THE EFFECT OF LOW VERSUS HIGH DOSE OF ANTI-SNAKE VENOM ON OUTCOMES AND ADVERSE EFFECTS IN SNAKE BITE CASES AT M.G.M. MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL, JAMSHEDPUR, JHARKHAND: A CROSS-SECTIONAL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background: Snakebite is a significant problem in rural India. It is an occupational hazard and causes considerable morbidity and mortality. It is a significant financial burden on victims and hospitals. Fortunately, these bites are eminently treatable and curable. A lack of universal consensus for the dose of Anti Snake Venom(A.S.V.) exists. Low vs. high dose is the most debated topic. Dose-related adverse effects are enduring issues in the snake bite management protocols.Objective: To observe the effects of the low and high dose of A.S.V. on results and side effects in snake bite cases in MGMM COLLEGE and hospital in Jharkhand, India.Materials and Methods: We did a cross-sectional in the medical emergency and intensive care unit ofM.G.M. Medical College, Jamshedpur. We analyze the prescriptions of 58 snakebite patients admitted to the I.C.U/emergency. We analyzed data during the study period of 3 months. We used descriptive statistics and Microsoft Excel 2007. Fisher's Exact Test is used to analyze statisticallyResult: A.K.I. was found in 5 (21%) low dose group and 9 (26%) high dose group, patients with neuroparalysis required ventilator/Ambu bag support in 3 (13%) low dose group and 6 (18%) patients high dose group. The hospital stay duration was 3.98 for the low dose group and 5.22 days for the high dose group. The mortality rate was 4% in the low dose group versus 6% in the high dose group. The manifestation of adverse effects of A.S.V. was also found to be significantly low in a low dose A.S.V. groupConclusion: we compared treatment outcomes and found low doses of A.S.V. may be utilized to optimize the effective dose and minimize its adverse effects. A beneficial trend for the low-dose group is seen.