High Dose Anti Snake Venom Versus Low Dose Anti Snake Venom in the Treatment of Nueurotoxic Snake Bite in Children

摘要

INTRODUCTION: Snakebite mortality continues to be a major medical issue in India. (W.H.O.) estimates place the number of deaths at 50,000 per annum and many more are disabled. The burden of snakebite mortality falls primarily on the rural poor. Envenoming by poisonous snakes is occupational hazard often faced by farmers and farm laborers of tropical and subtropical countries. Snakebite is frequent accident faced by villagers. In India most bites occur during the monsoon season because of the flooding of the habitat of snakes and their prey. The resulting high fatality rate due to snake bite remain largely unnoticed and unattended by medical profession. There are about 216 species of snakes identifiable in India. Of which 52 are known poisonous. The major families of snakes in India are Elapidae which includes common cobra (Naja naja), King cobra and common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) viperiadae includes Russell's viper, saw scpaled viper and pitviper. In North Bihar majority of snake bites are neurotoxic in nature primarily by cobras and krait.