Citation

Sarhan MB, Zaki Z, Mahmoud E. Egypt. J. Forensic Sci. Appl. Toxicol. 2022; 22(2): 35-46.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Kasr-Alainy School of Medicine, Cairo University)

DOI

10.21608/ejfsat.2021.67326.1193

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Scorpion envenomation represents a vital health problem, especially in children. Scorpion venom causes diverse harmful side effects on different body systems; however, the most serious one is considered the cardiotoxic effect. Aim of the work: this study aims to predict heart failure in children following scorpion sting using MR-proANP (cardiac biomarker), owing to reduced sensitivity and specificity of currently used biomarkers. Subjects & methods: the study was carried out on 87 children patients presented to Minia University Poisoned Control Center (MUPCC) with a history of a scorpion sting (within the first hour of sting) during the period from 1st of June, 2018 to the 31st of May, 2020. Venous blood samples were drawn from patients for biochemical analysis (MR-proANP and troponin I).

RESULT: MR-proANP predicted clinical heart failure (HF) in the first hour of sting (sensitivity was73.91% and the specificity was 100%) and predicted sub-clinical heart failure after 6 hours of sting (sensitivity was 89.66% and the specificity was 91.67%); however, troponin I predicted HF only after 12 hours of the sting.

CONCLUSION: MR-proANP was superior to troponin I in predicting HF due to scorpion envenomation.

Language: en