[Epidemiological profile of snake bites in a pediatric intensive care unit at the Children's Hospital of Marrakech, Morocco].

Abstract

Snake bites are a serious medical emergency. They are most commonly associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological profile of snake bites, as well as their severity and treatment in children in the Marrakech pediatric intensive care unit. The clinicobiological picture, physiopathology, the toxicokinetics of the venom, and the risk factors are discussed. Treatment of confirmed envenomation is based on antivenom administration via the venous route as soon as possible after the bite. Its efficacy and tolerance have been established by several studies. In our context, no specific immunotherapy is available, and the management of snake bites is based on symptomatic measures. Hence, the local health institutions must ensure the availability of antivenom specific to the Moroccan snake species, the only proven specific therapy against snake bite envenomation. The administration of highly purified immunoglobulin appears to improve the prognosis of envenomation, reduce morbidity and mortality, and reduce the length of the hospital stay.

• Authors: H Chabli, S Arib, Y Mouafak, S Younous
• Journal: Archives de pediatrie : organe officiel de la Societe francaise de pediatrie (Arch Pediatr) Vol. 21 Issue 12 Pg. 1293-8 (Dec 2014) ISSN: 1769-664X [Electronic] France
• Vernacular Title: Épidémiologie des envenimations vipérines en réanimation pédiatrique à l'hôpital d'enfants de Marrakech (Maroc).
• PMID: 25449443 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adolescent
• Child
• Female
• Hospitals, Pediatric
• Humans
• Intensive Care Units, Pediatric
• Male
• Morocco (epidemiology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Snake Bites (epidemiology)