Skip to main content
Log in

Clinical characteristics and outcome of children stung by scorpion

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
European Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Scorpion envenomation is a health problem in children in tropical and subtropical regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate demographic and clinical characteristics as well as outcomes in referred children to Assiut University Children Hospital during the year 2012 with a history of scorpion sting. The medical files of these patients were reviewed retrospectively for demographic data, time and site of biting, and clinical manifestations. Laboratory investigations of the patients were reviewed for complete blood count (CBC), liver function tests, creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), arterial blood gases, and serum electrolytes. Results showed 111 children with a history of scorpion sting; 69 males and 42 females with a median age of 5 years. Out of the studied patients, 53.2 % were classified as class III of clinical severity with recorded pulmonary edema in 33.3 %, cardiogenic shock in 46.8 %, and severe neurological manifestations in 22.8 %. Twelve patients (10.8 %) were classified as class II with mild systemic manifestations, and 36 % of the patients were classified as class I with only local reaction. Outcomes of these patients were discharge without sequelae in 55.8 %, discharge with sequelae in 26.1 %, and death in 18.1 %. Conclusion: more than half of stung children had a severe clinical presentation and about one fifth died. Aggressive treatment regimens are recommended for such patients to improve the outcome.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

References

  1. Abourazzak S, Achour S, El Arqam L, Atmani S, Chaouki S, Semlali I, Soulaymani Bencheikh R, Bouharrou A, Hida M (2009) Epidemiological and clinical characteristic of scorpion stings in children in Fez, Morocco. J Venom Anim Toxins incl Trop Dis 15(2):255–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Abroug F, El-Atrous S, Nouira S, Haguig H, Touz N, Bouchouch S (1999) Serotherapy in scorpion envenomation: a randomized controlled trial. Lancet 354:906–909

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Abroug F, Nouira S, Saguiga H (1994) Envenimations scorpioniques: avancees chimiques, physiopathologiques et therapeutiques (monograph): p 1–68

  4. Adiguzel S, Ozkan O, Inceoglu B (2007) Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of scorpionism in children in Sanliurfa, Turkey. Toxicon 49(6):875–880

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Bahloul M, Rekik N, Chabchoub I, Chaari A, Ksibi H, Kallel H, Damak H, Chaari A, Ben Hamida C, Chelly H, Bouaziz M (2005) Neurological manifestations secondary to severe scorpion envenomation. Med Sci Monit 11(4):CR196–CR202

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Becceril B, Corona M, Garcia C, Bolivar F, Possani LD (1995) Cloning of genes encoding scorpion toxins: an interpretative review. J Toxicol Toxin Rev 14:339–357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Bosnak M, Ece A, Yolbas I, Bosnak V, Kaplan M, Gurkan F (2009) Scorpion sting envenomation in children in Southeast Turkey. Wildness Environ Med 20:118–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bouaziz M, Bahloul M, Kallel H, Samet M, Ksibi H, Dammak H, Ahmed MN, Chtara K, Chelly H, Hamida CB, Rekik N (2008) Epidemiological, clinical characteristics and outcome of severe scorpion envenomation in South Tunisia: multivariate analysis of 951 cases. Toxicon 52:918–926

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Carvalho FF, Nencioni AL, Lebron I, Dorce VAC, Sandoval VAC (2000) Convulsive effects of some isolated venom fractions of the Tityus serrulatus scorpion: behavioural, electroencephalographic and neuropathological aspects. J Venom Anim Toxins 6(2):285–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Chippaux JP, Goyffon M (2010) Epidemiology of scorpionism: a global appraisal. Acta Trop 107:71–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. de Roodt AR, Garci SI, Salomon OD, Segre L, Dolab JA, Funes RF, de Titto EH (2003) Epidemiological and clinical aspects of scorpionism by Tityus trivittatus in Argentina. Toxicon 41:971–977

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Farghaly WM, Ali FA (1999) A clinical and neurophysiological study of scorpion envenomation in Assiut, Upper Egypt. Acta Paediatr 88(3):290–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Farid W, Debrock C, Macharia W, Preux P (1998) Scorpion sting in Egypt. Afr J Neurosurg Sci 17(1):457–460

    Google Scholar 

  14. Goyffon M, Vachon M, Broglio N (1982) Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the scorpion envenomation in Tunisia. Toxicon 20:337–344

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Gueron M, Illia R, Margulia G (2000) Arthropod poisons and the cardiovascular system. Am J Emerg Med 18:608–714

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Magalhaes M, Pereira M, Amaral C, Rezende NA, Campolina D, Bucaretchi F, Gazzinelli RT, Cunha-Melo JR (1999) Serum levels of cytokines in patients envenomed by Tityus serrulatus scorpion sting. Toxicon 37:1155–1164

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Talebian A, Doroodgar A (2006) Epidemiologic study on scorpion sting in patients referring to Kashan medical centers during 1991–2002. Iran J Clin Infect Dis 1(4):191–194

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

None.

Funding source

There are no grants, honoraria, or other forms of payment that were given to the authors to produce this manuscript.

Financial disclosure

The authors have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.

Conflict of interest

All authors do not have potential conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ismail Lotfy Mohamad.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mohamad, I.L., Elsayh, K.I., Mohammad, H.A. et al. Clinical characteristics and outcome of children stung by scorpion. Eur J Pediatr 173, 815–818 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-013-2244-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-013-2244-8

Keywords

Navigation