Scorpion Sting in Children in the South-western Region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

An analysis of 78 patients admitted with scorpion sting to a tertiary health institution in the south-western region of Saudi Arabia over a period of 12 months has shown a male preponderance. Of the 78 patients, 84.6 percent were admitted during the hottest six months (April to September) of the year. The lower limbs were the sites of the sting in 71.8 percent of the cases with either foot being involved in 53.8 percent. Fifiynine patients, including 47 who were otherwise symptomless, presented with local pain or a sudden cry, which was associated with mild swelling and tenderness at the site of the sting in 37.2 percent. Major symptoms of envenomation in the remaining 31 cases included irritability, rest- lessness, excessive sweating, vomiting and increased salivation. Systemic signs consisted of tachycardia in 42.3 percent of cases, restlessness and/or irritability in 20.5 percent, priapism in 14.6 percent of 48 males, sweating in 12.8 percent and increased salivation in 3.8 percent. The duration of hospitalization was less than 24 hours in 84.6 percent of the cases. One patient that died, received antivenom very late and developed endorgan failure as well as disseminated intra- vascular coagulation. Prompt management including the administration of scorpion antivenom may prevent the development of, and in many cases, even reverse the systemic signs of envenomation, which however, remains a potential cause of death.