Citation

Jamaiah I, Rohela M, Ng TK, Ch'ng KB, Teh YS, Nurulhuda AL, Suhaili N. Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health 2006; 37(1): 200-205.

Affiliation

Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. jamaiah@ummc.edu.my

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, SEAMO Regional Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16771235

Abstract

A hospital based retrospective study of the prevalence of snakebite cases at Hospital Kuala Lumpur was carried out over a five-year period from 1999 to 2003. A total of 126 snakebite cases were recorded. The highest admission for snakebites was recorded in 2001 (29 cases). The majority of cases were admitted for three days or less (79%). Most of the snakebite cases were reported in the 11-30 years age group (52%). The male:female ratio was 3:1. The majority of cases were Malaysians (80%, 101 cases). Of the non-Malaysians, Indonesians constituted the most (56%, 14 cases). Bites occurred most commonly on the lower limbs (49%), followed by upper limbs (45%) and on other parts of the body (6%). No fatal cases were detected and complications were scarce. In 60% (70 cases) the snake could not be identified. Of the four species of snakes that were identified, cobra (both suspected and confirmed) constituted the largest group (25%), followed by viper (10%), python (4%) and sea snake (1%). The most common clinical presentations were pain and swelling, 92% (116 cases). All patients were put on snakebite charts and their vital signs were monitored. Of the snakebite cases, 48% (61 cases) were treated with cloxacillin and 25% (32 cases) were given polyvalent snake antivenom.

Language: en