Snakebite envenomation in children: a 10-year retrospective review

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology, short-term outcomes, and clinical characteristics of rattlesnake bites (RSB) in children. METHODS: This was a 10-year retrospective chart review of all patients who were <13 years old admitted to a medical toxicology referral service in a major metropolitan area of the southwestern United States with a diagnosis of RSB. RESULTS: Sixty-six children (mean age, 6.33 years) presented to or were transferred to our center with a diagnosis of RSB. Sixty-three percent were male, and the majority of bites (71.93%) occurred on the lower extremities. Forty-nine children (85.96%) developed coagulopathies, and 50 children (87.72%) received Antivenin (Crotalidae) Polyvalent (ACP) administration. Of the 50 children receiving ACP, 19 developed an immediate hypersensitivity reaction. Five cases of morbidity resulted, but no deaths were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Serious morbidity is infrequent in children following RSB.