Clinical Profile of Snake Bite in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India

Background& Objectives Snake bite envenomation is a common acute life threatening medical emergency presenting to the emergency with significant morbidity and mortality. This study attempts to evaluate the clinical outcomes of snake bite with early recognition of poisonous nature of snake bite and prompt initiation of Anti snake venom. Materials and methods The present descriptive observational study was carried out in tertiary referral hospital over a period of 6 months. Time interval between the poisonous snake bite and first administration of Anti snake venom was determined and outcomes studied. Results Out of 360 patients enrolled, 239 (66.4 %) were male and 121 (33.6 %) were female. Maximum patients i. e.109 (30.3 %) were in 21-30 age group. The patients getting treatment in less than6 hours had a good outcome in 249 (72 %) patients whereas the outcome was poor in 3 (21.4 %) patients. Conclusion and interpretation Majority of snake bite involve non poisonous bites and occurs in younger age group population. Early hospitalisation with recognition of poisonous nature of the snakebite with prompt Anti snake venom administration results in reduced complications and improved outcomes.