Comparison of antivenom effects between pediatric and adult patients presented to emergency department with scorpion stings

Özet

The aim of this study was to compare the use of antivenom, and admission to ICU, scorpinism between adult and pediatric patients. This study included 99 patients who were admitted to the emergency department with scorpion sting within 1 year. Patients’ demographics including age and gender, and clinical findings such as ionized Ca values, body region of sting contact and complications were recorded from the patient files and hospital records. In addition, regarding management of patients with scorpionism the use of antivenoms, admission to intensive care unit and complications developed by the patients were also recorded. Patients were divided into two groups according to age as the pediatric group including patients aged ≤ 18 years (Group 1) old and the adult group consisting of patients aged> 18 years old (Group 2). Antivenom administration was performed in 12 patients (12.2%). Antivenom was administered in 38% (n=8) of the patients in Group 1 and 5.13% (n=4) of the patients in Group 2. The mean age of patients who received antivenom was statistically significantly lower than the patients who did not receive antivenom (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of hospitalization in the intensive care unit. Mean age was statistically significantly higher in patients aged ≤ 18 years and hospitalized in the intensive care unit (p<0.05). The management of scorpion stings shows differences between children and adults. Given potential side effects of the use of antivenom; existing classification guidelines should be followed especially in pediatric patients, and new strategies should be developed for the management of children with scorpion stings.