Citation

Fritts TH, McCoid MJ, Haddock RL. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 1990; 42(6): 607-611.

Affiliation

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Publisher American Society of Tropical Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2372089

Abstract

The brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis, is abundant on Guam and commonly invades human habitations. Data on emergency room visits on Guam document a high frequency of snakebites on Guam. Over 50% of the emergency room visits for snakebite involved children less than 4 years old. Records exist of 4 infants, 1, 2, 5, and 10 months old, who displayed significant symptoms after being bitten, while sleeping, by snakes. Two infants developed respiratory problems within a few hours and required medical treatment for asphyxiation. Lethargy, diminished sensory perceptions, drooping eyelids, swelling, discoloration, and bleb formation were variable in occurrence in the patients.

Language: en