Citation

Pariury HE, Steiniger AM, Lowe MC. Pediatr. Emerg. Care 2017; 33(11): e124-e125.

Affiliation

From the Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PEC.0000000000001301

PMID

29095780

Abstract

The sting from Centuroides sculpturatus, commonly known as the bark scorpion, is a serious medical problem and can be potentially fatal to young children. Centuroides sculpturatus envenomation can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms, often including autonomic dysfunction, cranial nerve abnormalities, and somatic motor abnormalities. We discuss a 6-month-old male infant who presented with signs and symptoms consistent with bark scorpion envenomation, later found to be secondary to methamphetamine toxicity. Emergency pediatricians should be aware of the strong similarities between scorpion envenomation and methamphetamine toxicity in pediatric patients residing in or having visited the southwestern region of the United States. Methamphetamine toxicity should be considered in their differential diagnosis.

Language: en