A STUDY ON CLINICAL PROFILE AND OUTCOME OF SNAKE ENVENOMATION IN CHILDREN AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL JHALAWAR, RAJASTHAN

Background: Snake bite is generally considered to be a rural problem and has been linked with environmental and occupational condition is a neglected public health problem. Method: This study was conducted in children admitted with snake bite in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in the year 2019. Their demographic details, site of bite, arrival time, 20Minutes Whole Blood Clotting time, clinical signs and symptoms, complications and outcome were measured. Results: The male: female ratio was 1.33:1. Peak age group affected was 6 to 12 years old children. Lower limbs were commonly bitten. 88.1% of children arrived in the hospital between 0 and 6 hours after the bite. Pain and swelling at the site of bite were the most common symptom of envenomation. There were only two deaths during the study period. Conclusion: Snake bite is a life threatening emergency. Identification, timely diagnosis and early administration of anti-snake venom will certainly aid to curb mortality in snake bite.