Fifty-five cases of snakebite were retrospectively analysed for the indications for the use of antisnakevenom (ASV). Sixty-seven per cent of patients received treatment with ASV. Of these, 47% had features of systemic envenoming, 30% had features of local envenoming and 22% had no features of envenoming, either systemic or local. When WHO guidelines were strictly applied, it was found that in 44% of cases, ASV was used without adequate indication.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
SwaroopSGrabB. Snakebite mortality in the World. Bull World Health Organ1954; 10: 35–76
2.
NelsonBK. Snake envenomation. Incidence, clinical presentation and management. Medical Toxicology and Adverse Drug Experience1989; 4: 17–31
3.
UdwadiaFE. Poisonous bites. In: VakilRustom JalUdwadiaFarokh Erach, eds. Diagnosis and management of medical emergencies. Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1988: 432–9
4.
ReidHATheakstonRDG. The management of snakebite. Bull World Health Organ1983; 61: 885–95
5.
ReidHA. Animal poisons. In: BahrPEC MansonApptedFIC, eds. Manson's tropical diseases. London: Bailliere Tindall and English Language Book Society, 1982: 544–61
6.
WarrellDA. Venoms and toxins of animals and plants. In: WeatherhallDJLedinghamJGGWarrellDA, eds. Oxford textbook of medicine, vol 1. English Language Book Society/Oxford University Press, 1989: 6.66–6.93
7.
LawsonAH. Acute poisoning. In: MacleodJEdwardsCBouchierI, eds. Davidson's principles and practice of medicine. English Language Book Society/Churchill Livingstone, 1990: 701–13
8.
ThempuVSAmjariaPD. Snakes and venomous arthropodes. In: ShahSJ, ed. API textbook of medicine. Bombay: Association of Physicians of India, 1988: 28–30
9.
PhillipsRETheakstonRDGWorrellDA, Paralysis, rhabdomyolysis and haemolysis caused by bites of Russell's viper (Vipera russelli) in Srilanka: failure of Indian (Haffkine) antivenom. Q J Med1988; 68: 691–716
10.
JamiesonRPearnJ. An epidemiological and clinical study of snakebites in childhood. Med J Aust1989; 150: 698–702
11.
BhatRN. Viperine snakebite poisoning in Jammu. J Indian Med Assoc1974; 63: 383–92
12.
ParikhCK. Animal Poisons. In: Parikh's textbook of medical jurisprudence and toxicology. Colaba, Bombay: Medical Publications, 1979: 802–3
13.
MalasitPWarrellDAChanthavanichP, Prediction, prevention and mechanism of early (anaphylactic) antivenom reactions in victims of snakebites. BMJ1986; 292: 17–20
14.
Central Bureau of Health Intelligence, Directorate General of Health Services. Health Information India. Nirmal Bhavan, New Delhi: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Government of India, 1989: 53
15.
BanerjeeRNSahniALChackoKAVijayakumar. Neostigmine in the treatment of Elapidae bites. J Assoc Physicians India1972; 20: 503–9
16.
IddonDTheakstonRDGOwnbyCL. Study of the pathogenesis of local skin necrosis induced by Naja nigricollis (spitting cobra) venom using simple histological staining techniques. Toxicon1987; 25: 665–72
