Citation

Wium CA, Marks CJ, Du Plessis CE, Müller GJ. S. Afr. Med. J. 2017; 107(12): 1075-1077.

Affiliation

Tygerberg Poison Information Centre, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. caw@sun.ac.za.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, South African Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

29262959

Abstract

A 5-year-old boy presented to hospital with mild local cytotoxic and severe neurotoxic symptoms. The neurotoxic symptoms included ptosis, fixed dilated pupils and flaccid paralysis with respiratory failure. Mild hyponatraemia was also a clinical feature. After various unsuccessful treatment options were followed, the Tygerberg Poison Information Centre was contacted and a diagnosis of berg adder bite was made. Berg adder bites are uncommon and therefore not usually considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with an unexplained clinical picture. A timeous poison information helpline consultation is recommended in this situation.

Language: en