Snakebites can be deadly if not treated immediately. Snake envenomations are frequently encountered in medical emergencies. Some snake venoms contain hemotoxins that can result in widespread bleeding, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and a rapid death. This can be prevented by giving polyvalent antisnake venom within hours.
A three & half years old male child was admitted to Pediatrics I.C.U. of T.N.M.C. & B.Y.L. Nair Ch. Hospital, Mumbai with history of unknown bite. Initially Pediatricians were confused to diagnose the bite and called forensic experts for evaluation. On detailed examination and investigations by Forensic Medicine personnel and Pediatricians it was observed that the child was having two puncture wounds, 1cm apart from each other along with swelling of left foot and leg, multiple ecchymotic patches over the body and laboratory parameters revealed state of disseminated intravascular coagulation. On these findings, we diagnosed a case of vasculotoxic snake bite which help the Pediatrician for starting polyvalent antisnake venom therapy that proved to be beneficial in prevention of development of compartment syndrome and advancement of DIC. Here we report a case of snakebite who presented with vasculotoxic manifestation, showed full recovery after effective treatment.
Snake Bite, Coagulation Profile, Polyvalent Antisnake Venom
